Workplace Flu Vaccinations Provide an Excellent Return

Workplace Flu Vaccinations Provide an Excellent Return on Investment for Employers

The workplace continues to be an effective way for New Zealanders to receive their influenza vaccinations and is an excellent return on the investment, says specialist health service company Life Care Consultants.

Life Care’s managing director, Janet Brothers says, “Having your employees vaccinated against flu at work is good sense for business. Research published in 2010 by Wellsource, one of America’s leading workplace health and wellbeing providers, shows employers benefit with a 40% reduction in sick leave. The return on an employers’ investment for vaccinating staff against flu has been quantified at 161% in six months’ time[1].”

In 2011 the National Influenza Specialist Group (NISG) recorded close to one million people in New Zealand who were vaccinated against the flu.

“Based on the flu vaccinations Life Care has done so far this year – and we’ve only had a month of winter weather – I’d not be surprised if the country will pass the one million flu vaccination threshold,” says Mrs Brothers.

The NISG records that between 10-20% of New Zealand’s population are infected with influenza each year, and the effects of the flu can have an employee away from work for 5 – 10 days.

Hamilton City Council’s Safety & Wellbeing Advisor Tracey Stevenson says, “We’ve offered our staff free flu vaccinations for more than six years, with up to 20 per cent taking up this opportunity. Providing these vaccinations free makes sense to us on a number of fronts. As well as preventing staff from getting the flu, and possibly passing it on to others, it also promotes overall staff wellbeing and enhances workplace productivity with reduced absenteeism due to illness. Each year we receive positive feedback from staff who appreciate this workplace initiative.

Janet Brothers says, “Regardless of the size of the business, absenteeism and, very often, presenteeism – turning up to work when you’re sick, can have a hugely disruptive effect on other team members, service delivery and ultimately the bottom line of your business. Taking a wider and more altruistic view on flu vaccinations, there are significant social benefits with savings to the health dollar not to mention a more productive and healthier workforce.”

Due to the flu virus being very contagious and spread through coughing, sneezing and talking, the number of vaccinated people helps protect the ‘unvaccinated’ population, which can include other family members so by providing the vaccine opportunity at work the benefits can be widespread.

The virus strains in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter determine the vaccine make-up New Zealanders receive for the flu vaccination season. Unusually, the New Zealand 2012 vaccine covers the same virus strains as for the 2010 and 2011 winters. Life Care Consultants advise that people should still get vaccinated each year because the immunity offered by current vaccines lessens over time and the immunity achieved though being vaccinated is completely natural.

“Your business is more effective when all staff members are healthy. Providing flu vaccinations for your people is an investment in which the return on the money invested is hard to beat. Your staff will stay healthier and happier over the winter.” says Janet Brothers.

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