How do I make my workplace flu clinic a success?

Flu can spread like wildfire in the workplace, which is why a great many employers are already holding on-site flu vaccination clinics. A workplace vaccination clinic against the flu makes it convenient and simple for employees to receive their annual flu vaccination. Employers appreciate the cost-effectiveness of on-site flu vaccination clinics as preventing even just one infection with the flu could save thousands of dollars in lost productivity and healthcare costs. Follow these tips to ensure your workplace flu clinic is a success.

Make Vaccination a Priority

Employers should communicate to employees that flu vaccination is a priority. Employees should be given leeway to attend the clinic without having to use their lunch hour or break time to get their vaccine. Giving employees this benefit shows that the employer really cares about their health and well-being. Turn the event into something that makes employees excited to attend. Provide some light snacks such as fresh fruit and bottled water to further encourage participation and healthy behavior. Create ambiance in the flu clinic location with banners, balloons or even some music. Make the vaccination clinic a true event.

Promote the Flu Clinic

Use multiple means of communication to promote the workplace flu clinic. Use company email, and place flyers by the drinking fountain, break area, elevator, rest rooms and anywhere else that people congregate. Announce the clinic at staff meetings and during other gatherings.

Encourage Healthy Behaviors

During the clinic, provide employees with information to help keep them healthy throughout flu season. These tips will also encourage good health all year long.

• Encourage good hygiene among employees. Provide ample hand soap in restrooms. Set up hand sanitizer near elevators, stairwells, in meeting rooms and other common areas. Encourage staff to sneeze and cough into their elbows to avoid the spread of germs.
  

• Provide cleaning supplies so that employees can keep their workstations clean. Using disinfectant wipes on surfaces such as phones, keyboards and common printers can cut down on the spread of disease.
  

• Advise employees to increase the physical distance between one another. In the event of a flu outbreak, avoidance of handshaking and other close contact can help prevent infection.

Communicate Workplace Sick Policies

If an employee does become sick with the flu, he or she should be allowed to go home at the first signs and symptoms of illness. Because a person is contagious from one day before symptoms through five to seven days after illness onset, keeping sick people out of the office is essential in stopping the spread of the disease. Giving employees sick leave not only helps them get better faster, but it can stop other staff from becoming ill.

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/updated/everyday_preventive.pdf
http://www.flu.gov/prevention-vaccination/prevention/index.html#