Each year, the cold and flu season brings extra germs and increased health risks for everyone. Both flu vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination can significantly reduce the spread of illness, 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.
Both illnesses have significant costs for employers. 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 reducing 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 workplace vaccination program, workplaces can reduce these risks, helping protect their employees’ health and supporting a strong and resilient workforce.
Why Vaccination Programs at Work?
Winter is often known as “cold and flu season” for a reason: colder weather means people spend more time indoors, often close to one another. Less fresh air and more shared spaces allow viruses to spread quickly. During this time, both the flu and COVID-19 pose significant risks. The result? A higher chance of employees catching and spreading illnesses, which can lead to worker shortages and longer recovery times.
Seasonal factors also make flu and COVID-19 especially challenging. Lower humidity levels in winter can allow viruses to survive longer on surfaces and in the air. Additionally, decreased exposure to sunlight in the colder months may lower Vvitamin D levels, which are crucial for immune health. These combined factors contribute to higher infection rates.
A workplace vaccination program eliminates the guesswork and scheduling stress of getting vaccinated. When employers offer on-site flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccination clinics, employees don’t have to schedule separate appointments or find time to visit a clinic. It’s quick, convenient, and encourages higher participation since employees can easily step away from their desks to get vaccinated.
Employers who provide on-site vaccination programs can prevent the spread of illnesses, reduce absenteeism, and demonstrate support for their workforce.
The Added Risks of COVID-19 in the Workplace
While the flu can cause serious symptoms, COVID-19 introduces additional concerns for employee health — especially over time. Even though COVID-19 vaccination programs have significantly reduced the severity of COVID-19 cases, making infections far less deadly than they were at the pandemic’s start, new studies reveal that every infection, even mild ones, can have lasting impacts.
With each COVID-19 infection, the risk of developing “long COVID” rises. Long COVID can bring ongoing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, respiratory issues, and other complications that can last for months, sometimes longer. For workplaces, this can mean not just a risk of workers being out sick, but also a concern over longer-term health effects that could impact productivity and well-being.
The risks don’t stop there. Research now suggests that repeated COVID-19 infections can increase the likelihood of chronic health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and even mental health challenges. Each new infection gives the virus another chance to cause potential long-term damage, even if the initial symptoms are mild. Over time, small risks can add up, making prevention even more essential.
For employers, this creates a heightened need for prevention measures. Small health risks, when compounded over time, can result in significant impacts such as worker shortages and long-term healthcare service costs. By making vaccines accessible at work, employers are helping workers reduce these long-term risks, creating a healthier, safer environment for everyone.
The Benefits of On-Site Vaccinations
Offering on-site flu and COVID-19 vaccination programs has big benefits for both employees and the company. Here’s how:
- Less Sick Days: When employees get vaccinated, they’re less likely to get sick, which means fewer missed workdays and reduced overall absenteeism.
- Better Focus: When employees feel healthy, they’re more focused and productive.
- Stronger Team: Fewer illnesses mean less chance for germs to spread, creating a healthier team overall. On-site vaccination clinics also build trust and vaccine confidence among your team.
- Easy Access: Having shots available on-site is convenient, saving employees time and making it simple to protect themselves.
- Public Health Impact: On-site vaccination programs support broader disease control efforts, helping reduce community transmission of illnesses like flu and COVID-19.
How to Set Up a Workplace Vaccination Program
Setting up a workplace vaccination program is easier than you might think. Here are some steps to get started:
- Partner with a Health Provider: Connect with a trusted healthcare provider that offers on-site vaccination clinics, like TotalWellness. They’ll bring all the supplies and trained staff to safely administer the shots, ensuring compliance with CDC guidance and best practices for disease control
- Schedule a Convenient Day: Pick a date when most employees can attend. Consider offering multiple days or time slots to fit different schedules and temporary employees, too
- Spread the Word: Let employees know about the program through emails, posters, or team meetings. Address concerns about vaccine side effects to build vaccine confidence and encourage strong employee participation.
- Keep It Simple: Make the process easy and quick for employees. They’ll appreciate a hassle-free experience, especially if it saves them time.
Show Your Support for Employee Health
Offering on-site flu vaccination and COVID-19 shots shows employees that you care about their health. It’s a small step that makes a big impact. Not only does it reduce the chance of illness, but it also builds a positive and supportive work environment.
Ready to make it happen? Contact TotalWellness now to set up your clinic and give your team the protection they deserve. Let’s keep this season healthy and strong — starting with a vaccination program.
We’d love to hear from you! Have you implemented a workplace vaccination program before? How did it go? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
