Keeping Your Employees Healthy During America's Financial Crisis

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Public Health
Article Date: 01 Oct 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The economic downturn which started months ago has progressed to derail institutions like Lehman Brothers and most recently Wachovia, the U.S.'s fourth largest bank. As Wall Street continues to hemorrhage, companies nationwide brace for a rough fourth quarter and have already began to downsize.

Keeping core employees healthy and on the job is of utmost importance during this downturn so that productivity is not compromised. So how do you keep those core employees' productivity up? You encourage them to participate in a company-wide flu immunization program says Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, a nationwide travel medicine company that provides vaccinations, education and medications for international travelers. "Your employees are crucial to your company's day-to-day operations," explains Lessans, whose company also provides on-site flu clinics for some of the largest corporations in the U.S. "When you are lean you can't afford increased absenteeism because of the flu."

In a well publicized article, CNN reported that the flu costs the U.S. economy nearly $10 billion dollars each year in lost productivity and wages. "Influenza is spread when people work closely together or touch infected surfaces," cautioned Lessans. "If you have a small office the flu can literally shut down your entire operation and that is why employers should encourage all workers to get their annual flu shot."

According to the CDC, the influenza virus causes illness in 10% to 20% of the population each year. Approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. Some 36,000 people succumb to the illness annually. "Passport Health is committed to reducing the occurrence and impact of the flu," added Lessans. Last year, the company administered over one million doses of flu vaccine throughout the nation. The CDC recommends that the general population get vaccinated especially all children over the age of 6 months, people over the age of fifty, healthcare personnel, the immunocompromised and those family members who have contact with them, and pregnant women.

Passport Health
http://www.passporthealthusa.com

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