Each year, the cold and flu season brings extra germs and increased health risks. The flu, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases can spread quickly, especially in workplaces where people share spaces and interact closely.
The numbers show the impact: each year in the U.S., millions of people fall ill from the flu, with hundreds of thousands requiring hospitalization and tens of thousands, tragically, losing their lives. During the 2023-2024 flu season, the CDC estimated at least 34 million flu illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations, and 17,000 deaths, including 199 pediatric deaths. COVID-19, too, continues to pose risks, with long-term effects sometimes seen even in mild cases.
For employers, flu and COVID-19 season also bring significant costs. The flu alone costs an estimated $11.2 billion annually in the U.S. in both direct and indirect expenses, from healthcare costs to lost productivity. Vaccines, however, play a powerful role in cutting down these numbers. For example, the CDC reports that flu vaccination during the 2023-2024 respiratory season helped prevent 7.4 million flu-related illnesses, 3.7 million medical visits, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 3,500 deaths.
By implementing a voluntary vaccination program and offering on-site flu and COVID-19 shots, workplaces can reduce these risks, helping protect their employees’ health and supporting a strong and resilient workforce. So, why not bring the vaccination clinic to your workers and contribute to disease control where it’s most needed?