Flu vaccinations for employees can help an employer's bottom line, according to a new study. Research presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Assn., found that for each employee vaccinated an employer can save $63 to $95 per person. Vaccinating an entire 150-person company, for example, could yield savings of between $9,450 and $14,250.
The study analyzes the cost of providing flu vaccine to employees and the costs in terms of absenteeism and lost productivity from having some workers out with the flu. The key to big savings, however, is to immunize workers early in the flu season. If an employer holds a flu clinic after December, the savings won't add up. The savings to an employer are especially significant if a flu clinic is held early in a year when a pandemic flu is circulating. In that case, vaccination can save an employer $33.94 to $700.69 per vaccinated employee.
