STAYING HEALTHY IN THE WORKPLACE :
The Power of Vaccinations
A thriving workplace starts with healthy employees . Beyond boosting productivity , maintaining employee health helps reduce absenteeism and creates a safer , more engaged work environment . Vaccinations are a cornerstone of workplace wellness , offering protection against preventable diseases that can disrupt daily operations . Denise Strickland , Immunization Division Director for the Alabama Department of Public Health ( ADPH ), explains how vaccinations are a vital tool for employers and employees alike .
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Each year , approximately 10 % of unvaccinated adults contract seasonal influenza . Vaccination can significantly reduce this number and protect your workplace from productivity losses . — Denise Strickland , ADPH
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Why Vaccinations Matter in the Workplace
“ Vaccination offers a way for employees to decrease time missed from work due to illness while also protecting their fellow workers and customers ,” says Strickland . Seasonal illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 can sweep through workplaces , leading to significant absenteeism . For example , roughly 10 % of unvaccinated adults contract the flu each year , with about half experiencing symptoms severe enough to miss work .
However , workplaces with high vaccination rates see dramatic improvements . Research shows that if 90 % of employees are vaccinated , the overall attack rate of illness can drop by 78 %, reducing lost productivity and protecting clients , customers and colleagues alike .
New Guidelines and Best Practices
Employers should be aware of updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ( ACIP ). In October 2024 , ACIP recommended a single dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ( PCV ) for all adults aged 50 and older , particularly those with an unknown vaccination history . This update aims to improve disease prevention in adults aged 50-64 , particularly among groups experiencing higher disease rates .
Research shows that if 90 % of employees are vaccinated , the overall attack rate of illness can drop by 78 %.
Key Vaccines for Working Adults
“ Influenza , Tdap and COVID-19 vaccines are the most important for working adults ,” says Strickland . These vaccines help protect against highly contagious diseases that can spread quickly in communal environments . Other critical vaccines include pneumococcal vaccine , hepatitis A and B , HPV and the MMR ( measles , mumps and rubella ) vaccine .
Vaccines don ’ t just protect the individual ; they create a ripple effect of safety . “ By getting vaccinated , you can keep yourself from getting sick and prevent spreading germs to others ,” Strickland adds . This is especially crucial during peak flu and respiratory illness seasons , where workplaces can become hotspots for outbreaks .
Vaccines help immune systems fight infections faster and more effectively . They spark an immune response , helping the body fight off and remember the germ so it can attack it if the germ ever invades again .
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