Flu shot myths, facts and why you should promote vaccines

Flu season hits harder some years than others, but it always hits hard. 

Each year in the U.S. 140,000 to 710,000 Americans are hospitalized with flu and its complications with up to 56,000 of them dying.¹ Aside from the staggering personal toll, the flu can take a big bite out of business:  Last year’s flu cost businesses $15.4 billion in lost employee productivity.²

There are several steps you can take to mitigate the impact of the flu on your business.

Clear up misconceptions

The infection rate and resulting costs stay high because only 4 in 10 U.S. adults typically get vaccinated for the flu.¹ The top barrier to getting a flu shot is that people don’t believe it works, according to a survey by UnitedHealthcare. Although flu vaccination effectiveness can vary, studies show that a well-matched vaccine can reduce the flu rate between 40 percent and 60 percent.² While the flu shot may not be perfect, it is the best defense against the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).³

Another barrier is that people believe the flu shot will actually give them the flu, claiming the vaccine caused flu-like symptoms.⁴ Although some people report having mild reactions to the flu shot, in randomized, blinded studies, where some people received inactivated flu shots and others get salt-water shots, there were no differences in terms of body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.⁵

In September, UnitedHealthcare launched a campaign to tackle these objections and promote flu vaccinations. Using CDC data that tracks outbreaks across the U.S. with an interactive map that is updated weekly, the campaign targets the outbreak zip codes. The campaign includes paid search and digital banners on the Weather Channel targeted to members in top flu outbreak areas. 

Help your employees get vaccinated

Another obstacle preventing immunization? Our culture of busyness.  Many people just have too much to do, and too little time to get it done.  

The CDC suggests businesses make sure employees know where they and their families can get a flu shot. One way UnitedHealthcare makes this easier is through our flu section to help anyone, including employees, find places offering flu shots.⁶ Make it convenient for your employees by posting or emailing locations of retail pharmacies and convenient care clinics near the workplace.  Remind them that their health plan covers any associated costs. 

Communication is the key to employee participation

Educate employees about why they should get vaccinated and explain the dangers of the flu. Getting vaccinated provides protection to the employee, while also contributing to broader protection for the community – including the young, elderly and those who cannot be vaccinated. A study recently published in the journal Vaccinefound that educating people about the community benefits of maintaining high vaccination coverage increased their willingness to get vaccinated by 7.3 percent.⁷

You can spread awareness of the importance of vaccines through company newsletters, email blasts, fliers, handouts, and an update on the company website. 

Although the flu season isn’t predictable or 100 percent preventable, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your employees and their families from contracting the flu. Talk to your UnitedHealthcare representative to learn more about these and other tools the company offers to help you and your employees before, during and after the flu season.