Influenza (also known as the “flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the Influenza virus. The flu can result in mild to severe illness and even though healthy individuals can contract the virus, it can seriously affect young children, adults over 65 years old as well as those with certain health conditions. These underlying health conditions include asthma, chronic lung disease, neurological conditions, heart disease, blood disorders, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, metabolic disorders, immune disorders and obesity with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that flu vaccines reduce a person’s risk of getting the flu and having to go to the doctor by approximately 50%. The typical flu season lasts about 13 weeks and peaks in February every year. In 2016, the flu season lasted for 17 weeks total, 4 weeks above the average!
During the 2015- 2016 influenza season, the CDC estimates that influenza vaccination prevented about 5.1 million influenza illnesses, 2.5 million influenza-associated medical visits and 71,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations. These estimates are comparable to previous seasons.
Flu shot vaccinations are the best way to safeguard your workforce from contracting the virus while ensuring health and productivity in the workplace.