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This year almost 60% of Americans will either get a flu vaccine or plan to get one. Convenience is the predominate factor that makes them more likely to have themselves and their families vaccinated for the flu. 

The flu is no laughing matter. Each year there are more than 111 million sick days taken from the flu which leads to 7 billion dollars in lost productivity. Flu season officially starts in October and ends in May, making summer the ideal time to start preparing your workforce. This can mean educating people on simple things they can do in order to stay healthy; like washing their hands throughout the day, carrying tissues, and drinking the recommended 64 ounces of water every day. So what can you, the employer do? Provide employee flu shots.

Top stories from the CVS/pharmacy October eNewsletter!

While the change of seasons brings us relief from the summer heat, we also start to see an increase in illness. October is the start of flu season, and on average, your employees will lose almost 3 days of work from the flu. Each flu season results in approximately $7 billion in lost productivity.

The 2015 Flu season is still a few months away, but now is a great time to start getting prepared. Every year the United States experiences an epidemic of seasonal flu. While flu season peaks in the winter months, flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and can last all the way into May. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older. This is the first and most important step to protecting oneself from this very serious disease. People should start getting vaccinated as soon as the flu shot becomes available. Many flu shot providers receive the vaccine as early as July or August. The CDC encourages getting the shot preferably by October. But as long as the flu virus is spreading, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. The flu shot has become easy to obtain. Even without insurance or appointment, CVS/pharmacy offers adolescent, adult, & senior flu shots right in the store while CVS/minute clinic locations offer all that and pediatric flu shots as well. All vaccines are administered by a certified immunizing pharmacist or through a nurse practitioner or physician assistant at Minute Clinic locations.