The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that, on average, the flu costs employers approximately $10.4 billion a year in direct costs for adult hospitalization and outpatient visits.The cost of hosting a flu shot clinic pales in comparison, but regardless of your approach to the upcoming flu season, there is no doubt that this virus costs your business money. This is one reason why wellness experts are excited to see the continued development of a universal flu vaccine by researchers at Stanford University, one that could be produced quickly and offer more widespread protection than the shots available today.

For more than 30 years, the only option for the flu vaccine has been trivalent; that is, designed to protect against three strains of the influenza virus. Last year, for the first time, a new quadrivalent vaccine was introduced that provides protection against four varieties of the virus. This year will be the first time the quad vaccine is widely available, with the option to get it in the form of either a traditional shot or a nasal spray. 

This year, you have more choices than ever for flu vaccines.

The newest available option, the quadrivalent vaccine, offers protection against four strains of flu virus and can be given as a traditional shot or a nasal spray.

With so many varieties of vaccines on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one will work best for you or your 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 a coworker have reservations or have heard rumors about the flu shot, send this handy list to them to ensure they know the facts about being protected from the flu. 

By now, you’ve heard that most of your employees don’t know how to properly wash their hands and miss up to 5 days of work because of the flu each year. Although our flu shot clinics and hand washing education booths can truly help make your office healthier, the first line of defense starts with your own workspace. Even the best cleaning services are likely to miss most of these high-traffic areas, many of which are crawling with bacteria that can infect and spread amongst your staff.  Read on to discover where germs are hiding in your office space.

People are fickle about the flu shot. During the 2011-2012 flu season, according to the CDC, only 42% of the U.S. population actually got the vaccine.

Research shows that a strong communications strategy is key to a successful worksite flu vaccination program. Promoting the flu vaccine at every opportunity and explaining the benefits of vaccination can also help you increase participation. Yet each year, human resource professionals struggle to come up with creative flu shot communication and marketing materials. 

So you want to host an on-site flu shot clinic to protect your employees from the flu, eh? Well, I don't blame you! Flu shots are the best way to prevent the flu. But unfortunately things are getting a little more complicated this year with a new wave of flu vaccines hitting the market.  

This year company flu shot programs will have access to an eggless flu vaccine. The new cell culture technology vaccine (Flucelvax, made by Novartis) was approved by the FDA in November 2012 for adults aged 18 and older. 

Big changes are coming to flu vaccines for the 2013-14 flu season. U.S. health regulators approved a new seasonal influenza vaccine that fights against four strains of influenza. This will increase the protective value of flu vaccines, since to date, flu vaccines contained only three viruses.