Flu season feels like it’s year round. You never know when you or the person sitting right next to you might catch a cold.

In Australia, influenza infections tend to be common between June to September of every year, however, this tends to vary yearly and may differ across different regions. While most people get the flu during the colder, autumn and winter months, it is not uncommon to contract it at any point throughout the year.

There is often more than one strain of influenza present and every year a flu vaccine is made to match the most common strains of flu. According to the Department of Health Victoria, the annual influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone from mid-April onwards to be effectively protected during the peak influenza season.

As an employer, it is important to offer your employees the option of getting a yearly flu shot. While it is not mandatory for you to do so, providing this benefit to your employees demonstrates the commitment you and your organisation have towards their wellbeing.

At BizHealth, we make running a workplace flu vaccination program simple and straightforward. Curious about what we can do for you? Make an enquiry today.

Why Everyone in Your Workplace Should Get a Flu Shot? 

In 2024, Australia experienced one of its most significant surges of influenza cases nationwide, with over 351,000 cases– marking a stark increase from the 289,000 confirmed cases in 2023.

With the nation’s Immunisation Coalition’s national survey revealing that fewer Australians are choosing to protect themselves through vaccination, offering a workplace flu shot presents itself as a worthwhile investment to consider. Here’s why:

• Improved Employee Productivity: When your employees are healthy, they are more likely to be focused at work. Likewise, you’ll notice less of your staff taking days off during the peak winter months, enabling critical deadlines to be met during the peak period of the financial year.

• Convenience: Offering on-site flu vaccinations encourages higher employee vaccine uptake. During the work week, many employees are often preoccupied with various tasks, making it difficult for them to take time off to visit their general practitioner (GP). By providing the vaccine on-site, employees can easily incorporate it into their routine without disrupting their workday.

• Safer Work Environment: Sometimes, employees may still come to work even when they’re dealing with a cold. This can increase the risk of workplace injuries or errors, particularly in industries that require high levels of concentration and precision for certain tasks. Likewise, for employees who directly interact with vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, a flu vaccination can help protect them.

• Reduced Severity of Symptoms: While the vaccine doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of employees contracting the flu, it helps reduce the severity of symptoms. Vaccinated employees typically experience milder symptoms that resolve more quickly, lowering the risk of complications.

• Retain Top Talent: Become a well-respected employer that prioritises the health and wellbeing of your employees by offering on-site flu vaccinations, demonstrating your commitment to their care. Attract and retain top talent by providing the annual flu vaccine, a valuable perk that many employers don’t offer.

Is it Mandatory for Your Employees to Get a Yearly Flu Shot? 

In certain occupations and industries, receiving an annual flu vaccine is a mandatory requirement, particularly for healthcare, childcare, and aged care workers. However, for most other roles, the flu vaccine is not legally required.

As an employer, you can encourage and educate your employees on the importance and benefits of the flu vaccine, as well as make it readily available, but the decision to take it ultimately lies with them.

If you or your employees require more information about workplace flu vaccinations, please feel free to reach out to us for further details on what the vaccine entails, potential side effects, how we run the program, and other educational resources that may be helpful for your employees.

How Can We Help? 

Ready to take the first step towards protecting your employees’ wellbeing? When you book a service with us, you can be confident that our procedures are highly confidential and safe. Our team of healthcare professionals will ensure your employees receive the best care possible and feel well looked after before, during, and after their vaccination.

We also offer a range of other services to support your employees’ wellbeing, including but not limited to bone density scans, nutrition programmes, hearing and vision screenings, and fitness sessions.

Contact us today!