The flu season usually starts in the autumn and can last until as late as May however, it peaks more widely during January and February.To encourage better protection, vaccines should ideally be given at the start of the flu season as the body’s immune response takes about 2 weeks to fully develop.
The flu vaccination can help to protect you from the common strains of the virus. It can also help to stop the spread of flu to other people who could be more at risk of serious health complications from the flu virus. The vaccines are updated each year according to the most common strains in circulation during the coming season so it is important to have the vaccine each year.
Vaccinations are offered by the NHS to those who are eligible. Workplace vaccination programmes also offer many benefits to employees and organisations such as:
· Reduced staffing costs by reducing absence due to flu illness.
· Reduced risk of flu circulation amongst employees who work together.
· Improved productivity if staff either don’t contract flu or only experience mild symptoms.
· Increased employee morale as employee wellness programmes make people feel valued by the organisation.
How to manage flu outbreaks in organisations during the flu season:
Advise your employees to stay at home if they are unwell. It would be a wise precaution to send home, at the earliest opportunity, any employees who are displaying flu-like signs/symptoms as retaining unwell employees in the confines of a workplace will increase the likelihood of further spread of the virus to the workforce. Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- A sudden high temperature
- An aching body
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick.
If you have employees who can safely work from home, this should be encouraged providing that they feel well enough to work. Opting for video-conferencing or tele-conferencing where possible instead of holding meetings is a practical precaution.
