Many people forego the flu shot because they think they’ve waited too long. It’s mid-season, and they believe they might as well wait it out.
For employers, the same thing can happen. Maybe you’re calling around to different vendors, and you keep being told it’ll be a four- to six-week wait. You’re wondering if it’s even worth it to bring flu shots into your workplace this year.
The short answer? ABSOLUTELY.
While a late flu shot isn’t necessarily ideal, it’s better than no flu shot at all. And it can help to keep your workforce healthy in the long run.
The Two-Week Window
A flu shot usually takes about two weeks to kick in. That means it takes your body about two weeks to be fully protected against the flu. During that time, your body has to recognize the virus that’s in the vaccine, activate your immune system, and build up antibodies to fight the flu if you come into contact with it.
Because of that two-week lead time, if you bring the flu shot into your workplace later rather than sooner, you’re leaving a bit more risk on the table. Your employees might get the flu shot right when you start to notice the flu spreading, but they might not be fully protected until two weeks into the outbreak.
Essentially, there’s a two-week window when your employees might still get sick, even after they’ve gotten the flu shot. The good news, though, is that their flu shot has kickstarted their immune system during that two week period.
That means if an employee gets a flu shot, and then four days later contracts the flu, their body is ahead of the game. They’ve been working to fight the flu since they received the shot, so they probably won’t have as severe an illness as they could have.
Expert Recommended
Ultimately, experts will always say that any flu shot is better than no flu shot at all. No matter what type of shot is available, or the timing you get it, your best option is always to get the flu shot.
That’s because the flu shot is the single best way to protect yourself from the flu during flu season. The flu virus is known for its unpredictability and high attack rates. Even a late flu shot gives you and your employees a fighting chance.
So if you forgot to set up a flu shot clinic this year. Or if time just got away from you. Or maybe you’re starting to see some cases of the flu earlier than usual in your workplace.
It’s not too late.
You can still set up a flu shot clinic for your employees, and it can still be incredibly helpful. Even if it only alleviates some of the symptoms, rather than helping to avoid the flu altogether, that allows your sick employees to get back to work much more quickly than they would have without a shot at all.
Have you set up your employee flu shot clinic yet? What are you waiting for? Leave your name below and we’ll have an account representative reach out to you as soon as possible!
