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?
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 Vitamin D levels, which are crucial for immune health. These combined factors contribute to higher infection rates.
Workplace vaccination programs take the guesswork and scheduling stress out of getting vaccinated. When flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available right in the office, employees don’t have to schedule separate appointments or find time to visit a clinic. It’s quick, convenient, and encourages higher employee participation since workers can simply step away from their desks to get vaccinated.
As an employer, by making vaccines and vaccination information easily accessible, you’re helping your team protect themselves, their coworkers, and even their families. When employees are vaccinated, they reduce their risk of getting sick and spreading illness, helping the whole team stay healthier.
While the flu can cause serious symptoms, COVID-19 brings additional concerns for employee health —especially over time. Even though vaccines 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 employees 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 issues. 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 by employee vaccination even more essential.
Offering COVID-19 vaccination on-site helps protect employees by reducing their chances of infection and lowering the risk of severe illness and potential chronic conditions. By making vaccines accessible at work, you’re helping employees reduce these long-term risks, creating a healthier, safer environment for everyone.
Offering on-site flu 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.