As the fall season kicks off with cooler days, vaccination season is upon us. To keep your workforce healthy—and working—it’s important to know which vaccinations are available to them through your plan that can protect them from common illnesses, such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
Respiratory viruses spread primarily through droplets from coughs or sneezes, or through contaminated surfaces. So, it’s no wonder rates of illness rise when people gather in enclosed spaces in increasing numbers—as we tend to during fall and winter months.
People 65 and over, and anyone whose immune system doesn’t work as well as it should to protect them from infection, may be especially at risk. But all vaccinations come with precautions, so employees should consult a healthcare provider, like a doctor or pharmacist, about specific vaccinations, or to see if they would benefit from early diagnostic testing, should they fall ill.
Measures you can take to foster good health include encouraging basic hygiene like washing hands frequently, coughing and sneezing into one’s elbow, and emphasizing the importance of staying home and away from others when sick. You may also remind employees that they can transmit viruses before, and even after, they show signs of illness—making the case for proactive vaccination even stronger.
Most vaccinations can be conveniently gotten at a local pharmacy, usually without an appointment—no doctor’s office visit necessary. In addition, pharmacists are happy to help employees determine when vaccines should be given, and if they can get more than one at a time.
If you’d like to further explore the topic of vaccinations, the CDC Adult Immunization Schedule contains lots of useful information and is available in printable versions for posting and distributing.
To learn more about specific vaccinations available this season for common illnesses, as well as other timely pharmacy topics, subscribe to our monthly CarelonRx newsletter.
