Flu Season Arrives Early: What Employers Need to Know
The flu season is off to a fast start.
How do we know?
- Out of all doctor visits, the share of people going in for flu-like symptoms is higher now than during October of any of the previous five years.
- Nine states, including New York and Texas, are at high levels of flu; during this time in 2019 (the last flu season before the pandemic), only one was.
And this comes as COVID-19 continues to spread and evolve.
- Two new Omicron subvariants (B.Q.1 and B.Q.1.1) have begun to take hold in the U.S. They have the potential to drive up illnesses, especially among people who haven’t received the new booster formulated for Omicron, which became available in September.
- Nearly 20 million people in the U.S. have received one of the new boosters. That’s nearly double the number from two weeks ago, but well short of national targets.
How can employers limit absenteeism and protect employee health ahead of a winter surge? Check out our Flu Season Toolkit for actions you can take.
Employer Actions for Flu Season
You can make it easier for employees to get their annual flu shot by taking one or more of the following actions:
- Offer paid sick leave. More than 30 million U.S. workers lack access to paid sick leave. Low-income employees are significantly less likely than high-income workers to receive sick pay. This has important implications for public health, as well as workplace productivity. When people don’t have access to paid sick leave, they’re more likely to go to work when they’re under the weather, putting their co-workers and your customers at risk of getting sick, too.
- Host a flu shot clinic. Numerous pharmacies and other providers can assist in bringing this service to your workplace. Consider making it available to workers’ families, too—vaccinating children against the flu will make their families healthier and reduce absenteeism from parents caring for their sick children at home.
- Offer flexible time off for employees to get flu shots if you can’t host a clinic on-site. What helps people get vaccinated is making a plan. And time off helps that plan come together.
- Make use of effective messaging. Your company leaders are trusted messengers on health, so encourage them to share their stories about why they get their flu shots. This may include the shots’ routine nature (“I get it every year”) or an emotional appeal (“I want to know I can enjoy a healthy holiday with my family”). If your company has seen high uptake at previous on-site flu shot clinics, share that with employees (“Last year, more than half our team got their free flu shots on site.”) Keep in mind that research shows they may be more receptive to hearing about “flu shots” than the “flu vaccine.”
- Encourage employees to get their COVID-19 booster with their flu shot. Framing COVID-19 boosters as routine as flu shots (which roughly half of all adults get each year) could increase their uptake this year and going forward. Emphasize the convenience of getting both shots at the same time.
- Confirm and enhance health insurance coverage for flu shots. If your health insurance provider covers flu shots, communicate that to your employees. And if it doesn’t, consider expanding that coverage for 2023.
- Educate your employees and spread the word on social media. Answers to common questions, print-ready materials and social media graphics and messaging can be found in the resources below.
- Work with employee resource groups to communicate with workers from historically excluded communities. Collaborate on tailored messaging and ways to make sure you’re reaching hourly, part-time and front-line workers. And consult your ERGs on approaches to overcoming barriers to flu shot trust or access. Use our Tips for Engaging Employee Resource Groups and Informal Employee Networks and Audience Insights & Messaging Guidance for Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native Communities to apply effective principles of tailored outreach to your flu shot campaign.
Flu and Health Equity
Keep in mind as you encourage employees and their families to get their flu shots, there are significant racial and ethnic disparities when it comes to serious illnesses from the flu. According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just since 2009:
- Black adults are 80% more likely than white adults to be hospitalized for the flu
- American Indian or Alaska Native adults are 30% more likely than white adults to be hospitalized for the flu
- Hispanic adults are 20% more likely than white adults to be hospitalized for flu
Rates of flu vaccination help explain the difference. In the 2021-2022 flu season:
- 53.9% of white adults got a flu shot
- 42.0% of Black adults got a flu shot
- 40.9% of American Indian or Alaska Native adults got a flu shot
- 37.9% of Hispanic adults got a flu shot
Trust is key. The study’s authors say that the same efforts that improved COVID-19 vaccine uptake among these communities could help close the gap in flu shots, primarily making vaccines available in familiar places (including local businesses, stores and restaurants).
Tailored messaging pays off, too. The GetMyFluShot campaign from the Ad Council, the American Medical Association and CDC helped reduce concerns about flu shot risks and side effects among Black adults (from 43% to 33%) and Hispanic adults (from 41% to 32%).
Questions & Answers About the Flu and COVID-19
Is the flu shot effective?
Yes, typically, the flu shot reduces the risk of getting sick with the flu by 40-60%. It’s even more effective in preventing serious flu-related complications like hospitalization and death, most of which occur in people who are not vaccinated.
When should I get vaccinated?
It takes about 2 weeks after getting your flu shot to develop full protection, so the best time is now.
Are the side effects worse this year?
The side effects remain constant from year to year. The most common side effects from flu shots are soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where the shot was given. Some people also report having a low fever, headache, and muscle aches after getting their flu shot.
What’s the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. The CDC has more information on how the symptoms and contagiousness compare.
Can I have flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
Yes. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, you may need a test to tell you if you are sick with one or the other, or both.
Will a flu shot protect me against COVID-19?
No, the flu shot will not protect against COVID-19.
Will the flu shot increase my risk of getting COVID-19?
No, there is no evidence for this.
Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time?
Yes. You can get them together.
Additional Resources
Information for the 2022-2023 Flu Season
- CDC
- GetMyFluShot
- Vacunate ContraLaInfluenza (Spanish)
- Vaccinate Your Family (FAQ)
Social media toolkits
Print handouts
Videos
Download a printable version of the 2022 Flu Season Employer Toolkit here.
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