Prevention Before Cure: Vaccinations In Corporate Wellness
Vaccinations are a critical element to attain workplace wellness – the lack of which can result in absenteeism and low productivity. A seasonal change, especially the onslaught of winter, gives rise to various strains of viruses and bacteria. Viruses like influenza (flu), pneumonia, and tetanus are likely to harm our health. There are a host of vaccinations that avoid the derailment of our functionalities including influenza, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus boosters (Tdap). Flu, in particular, exemplifies a rampant virus. It is highly contagious as it spreads at a rapid rate by aerosol and droplet route. In addition, it can cause devastating effects when untreated, in some susceptible people.
Vaccinations are substances that provide us the immunity to tackle viruses. They may contain a live but weakened, and most times harmless partial element organisms that enable our body to create antibodies (immune response) against the virus. Hence, in case of future exposure to a virus, our bodies will have the antibodies in place to tackle the infection, and in turn, avoid sickness.
The workplace can be termed as a breeding ground for such viruses. This is due to the fact that most offices comprise vast spaces with closely situated bench stations, in a closed environment. Hence, employees working in close proximity can be severely affected as they work together for long periods of time. In addition, there are other cramped areas within an office building including elevators, meeting or conference rooms, or coffee stations. Though these kinds of studies are difficult to address, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that these annual epidemics result in three to five million cases of severe illness and nearly 500,000 deaths worldwide each year.
In addition, ill employees may increase exposure risks to other co-workers in an organization because viruses are communicable. This kind of unproductive presenteeism is deemed more harmful than absenteeism. Productivity can also dip if adults have to stay home to tend to their sick children. The latter are highly susceptible to viruses because they secrete them for fairly easily and for longer durations in comparison to adults. This is the reason why vaccinations in the workplace are often inclusive to workers’ families as well. Corporate wellness programmes inclusive of vaccination for employees can thus save on massive amounts lost in healthcare and low productivity from sick leaves.
Given this, it is critical for companies to host immunization drives at their workplaces. They can collaborate with community mass vaccinators. In the case where an on-site clinic is not feasible, workplaces must give their employees time off to receive vaccination shots. Apart from ensuring that company health plans cover vaccinations, they must offer educational materials like pamphlets and booklets on the safety and effectiveness of immunizations. Vaccination must be advocated in internal communications as well.
Though these steps may seem cumbersome or expensive for certain companies, it must be understood that these are investments which will reap rewards in the long run. It will also motivate employees to work harder at a company where they feel a sense of belonging and cared for. The support extended to immunize immediate family members, particularly the elderly and children, can strike a strong chord with workers as well. The entire workforce can thus benefit both from an economical and psychological perspective as workers will not only see increased productivity during flu seasons, but also improve on performance. In addition, decreasing the disease burden among children of the employees, which in turn decreases infection in schools can also be seen; there is a community as well and increases “herd immunity” (the resistance to the spread of a contagious disease within a population that results if a sufficiently high proportion of individuals are immune to the disease, especially through vaccination.) It’s ultimately a win-win situation for everyone involved.
