As fall arrives, so too does flu season. While symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue are common, influenza can also lead to serious complications such as hospitalization and even death. Last year’s season saw the highest flu-related hospitalizations since 2010-11.
The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older receive a flu shot annually… and the sooner, the better. The ideal time to get vaccinated is September or October, before flu viruses begin circulating widely. That makes this the perfect time for employers to encourage flu shots across their workforce.
Flu vaccination protects your people, your workplace, and your bottom line:
- Protects your team’s health. Flu vaccines reduce doctor visits and hospitalizations by up to 60%, keeping employees and families healthier.
- Reduces workplace disruption. Fewer flu cases mean fewer absences, greater productivity, and lower health care claims.
- Builds community immunity. Higher vaccination rates help protect your entire workforce.
- Offers a no-cost benefit. Flu shots are typically covered in full by health plans and widely available at pharmacies, clinics, and doctors’ offices.
Because it takes about two weeks to build immunity, promoting flu shots now ensures employees are protected when activity peaks in December and beyond. But even if they miss the early window, vaccination later in the season still reduces the risk of serious illness.