The workplace environment is much different this year as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, any wellness events — including flu shot clinics — are also quite different and need an extra level of careful planning. More sanitation methods, plentiful social distancing, and daily mask-wearing are all part of the normal employee gatherings these days.

Since the flu season this year will also be paired with COVID-19 challenges, it’s more important than ever for employers to encourage workers to get the flu shot.

If you normally host an annual flu shot clinic, you may want to start considering the pros and cons of an outdoor versus indoor option. You’ll need to put even more thought into event space, signage, entrances, exits, consent forms, and more.

Below, we break down the factors to keep in mind to make the best choice for your employees when it comes to hosting a flu shot clinic this year.

No one wants the flu, ever.

The thought of the aches, chills, headaches, and fatigue alone that accompany the flu is enough to make most people cringe. Luckily, one of the biggest benefits of flu shots is that it can lessen the severity of the flu and even prevent it altogether.

Just a few of the reasons to get vaccinated:

• It means less time off work
• It protects those around you
• It lessens the flu’s severity if you get it

Given that last year’s flu season kicked off early and we had the highest recorded level of flu activity since 2012, it’s time to consider the benefits of flu shots now.

And while flu vaccines won’t prevent COVID-19, it can reduce the burden of flu-related cases on the healthcare system to focus care on those infected with COVID-19.

Need a little more convincing?

Here are six reasons to get your flu shot this season:

It’s time to get your flu shot facts straight.

With flu season coming up shortly, you may be looking for solid data and stats to share with your staff. For those who have had the flu, there’s a common understanding of how miserable it can be. Chances are good that some employees have no problem getting their annual flu shot while others may hesitate.

There's a lot of misinformation out there about flu shots, including the "flu shot gives you the flu" and now the "flu shot will make you test positive for coronavirus." The excuses for not getting flu shots may seem endless, too.

Ready to cut through the noise and get just the flu shot facts?

We’ve got you covered.

In this post, you’ll find nothing but the facts, plus some of the best resources to share with employees about the flu and flu vaccinations.

Yes, the flu is still around.

And no, it’s not too late to get flu shots in January.

Flu season typically starts at the beginning of fall and tapers off toward the end of spring. Given that this flu season got off to an unusually strong start  — with flu-related deaths being up more than 65% in 2020 so far — considering a flu vaccine isn’t a bad idea.

So far, 9.7 million people have gotten the flu this season. 

Not interested in being a statistic?

Preventative measures — like the flu vaccine — are still available.

Below we dive into the flu season so far this year and tips for employers to avoid the spread of it in the workplace.

We've had years of experience holding flu shot clinics and have heard every excuse in the book for skipping out on your yearly vaccine. If you or your employees have reservations or have heard rumors about the flu shot, send this handy list to them to ensure they know the facts about getting protected from the flu. 

Excuse #1: I've heard you can get the flu from the flu shot. 

We hear this one all the time! It’s by far the most widely spread misconception about the vaccine. Flu shots are currently made in one of two ways: the vaccine is made either with flu viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ (killed) and are therefore not infectious, or with no flu viruses at all.

It's scientifically impossible to get the flu from a flu vaccine. In addition to this, the shot does not offer instantaneous protection, but rather takes a week or two to kick in. Therefore, anyone who comes down with an influenza virus right after getting the shot already had the virus in their system.  

There’s no getting around it: flu season is the worst.

Not just for employees who suffer from a bout of the flu, but also for the businesses that employ workers who catch the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu accounts for billions of dollars in medical costs and lost wages. Most employees end up in the doctor’s office or sometimes even hospitalized.

The timeline of time off can be rough, too. Employees may need up to two weeks of sick days for flu recovery — sometimes longer if there are complications.

By understanding the seriousness of the flu and taking preventative measures — like hosting a flu shot clinic— you can encourage employees to get vaccinated and stay healthy during flu season.

Here’s a look at how dangerous the flu is physically and financially:

The flu season is back again.

Nobody wants the flu, and public health officials are already warning this season is likely to be moderate to severe. Since the flu viruses can cause mild to severe illness, it’s important to be as prepared as possible by understanding the facts about the flu and how the body responds.

The most common flu signs and symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fever (not everyone gets one)
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Want to know more about this year’s flu season? Here’s a look at some of the facts about the 2019 flu season and what to expect:

Flu season is coming in fast.

Not surprisingly, flu season is an expensive time for businesses when it comes to lost productivity and a spike in healthcare claims.

Annually, the flu costs U.S. businesses around $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults.

Luckily, one little shot can help with that. Vaccination against the flu may reduce risk of getting ill by 40 to 60 percent.

But getting it on time and before flu symptoms arrive in the body is key. Peak flu season is from December to February, but it can run from October to May.

And with a recent delay in some shipments of flu vaccines, it’s especially important for employees to get their flu shot as soon as it’s available. The delay shouldn’t cause shortages of the vaccine and we have already received our vaccine here at TotalWellness.

So, just how effective is the flu shot? We share all the details below.

Your office space is the definition of close quarters. Everyone is in the same space, sharing equipment, and spending their entire workdays together. That means when one employee gets sick, it won’t be long until everyone else has caught the bug too. In a matter of days, you could have an office epidemic on your hands.

If you start to notice an outbreak of the flu – or any illness, for that matter – there are some things you can do to make sure you’re still able to do business efficiently out of your office.

Flu season is coming! Hopefully, this means that your company has an onsite flu clinic coming up. If you're having doubts about participating in this year’s flu clinic, we want to help you realize just how vital receiving your annual flu shot is. 

We know that the flu shot has gotten a bad rap in the past years. Common misconceptions have caused many Americans to shy away from getting vaccinated. Many also underestimate the health risks from the flu. Regardless of some of the things you’ve heard about the vaccine, it’s important to know that getting a flu shot is your #1 defense against the flu. 

So, if you have any doubts about participating in this year’s flu shot clinic, read this first: