September 14
What To Consider For Workplace Vaccination Planning
4 Things To Consider When Planning Workplace Vaccination
Pre-pandemic, some workplace vaccination guidelines dictate regular flu immunisations in and out of the office premises. For instance, large corporations offer mobile flu vaccinations to their workers to eliminate productivity losses. An estimated number of 200,000 people usually acquire influenza in New Zealand, and around 2% die from this.
For companies, workplace vaccination remains the primary antidote to sickness. The same holds true for the rest of the population. Hence, it’s always a wise decision to seek a mobile flu vaccination service to get protected. When planning an on-site immunisation activity for the office, it’s prudent to consider the following points.
1. Determining the best option
There are two main options for vaccination: on-site and off-site solutions. Workplace vaccination can be done in different ways; companies can set up their own or request private and government health. facilities to provide 2023 flu vaccine NZ services.
On-site workplace vaccination is better suited for medium to large organisations with most staff staying at the office from 9 am to 5 pm. It’s also a better option if most workers remain unvaccinated or don’t have access to these services.
Meanwhile, off-site or community immunisations would require your team to search for ‘on site vaccination near me.’ Clinics, pharmacies, and healthcare providers often provide fixed or mobile flu vaccination activities at least once yearly.
Your staff may opt for ‘mobile flu vaccine near me’ or ‘mobile flu shots near me’ if you’re a small company lacking resources for mobilising on-site vaccinations. An off-site option is also better for organisations with workers who only have a few unvaccinated workers and those with unpredictable schedules.
2. Communicating with staff
Transparency is crucial in the entire workplace vaccination process. While employers are mandated in most countries to ensure their workers’ health, welfare, and well-being, legislations vary considerably.
In New Zealand, some industry workers must have vaccinations for specific illnesses. Thus, it’s not surprising for some organisations to have mobile flu vaccinations. Mandated immunisations may also be done as long as it’s deemed reasonable and lawful. Rules may vary depending on the current health situation, so it’s best to check government health sites periodically for updates.
Before launching an on-site mobile flu vaccination, survey your staff. Check how many are willing to be vaccinated so you can choose the best method for your company. Address vaccine hesitancy by providing credible information and assigning vaccine champions to listen to staff concerns and resolve them appropriately. Besides updated information, boost vaccine confidence by highlighting the benefits and celebrating those who’ve gotten their jabs by offering incentives such as paid time off.
3. Assessing available resources
Depending on the scale and scope of the activity, facilities for organising vaccinations or taking the ‘mobile flu shots near me’ method must be aware of these elements to ensure smooth implementation.
Staff involvement: Your company must coordinate with the vaccination provider to create specific workplace vaccination guidelines if you don’t have one yet. Consider important points covering all activities, from administrative and logistical to security components. Assign company focal persons and at least one backup.
Vaccination area: Check if authorities require specific regulations concerning the size, amenities, surroundings, and other considerations. For walk-through vaccinations, your company may have to choose a large site to host vaccinees in a waiting area which provides ample lighting to vaccinators.
4. Choosing an ideal vaccine provider
Perform due diligence before choosing the healthcare service provider. Consider the following elements when planning a workplace vaccination activity for your company:
- Experience and expertise in providing your preferred service(s)
- The healthcare staff’s qualifications
- Cost and your budget
- Service inclusions
- Overall support
Mobile flu vaccinations may be easier to conduct than other on-site immunisation methods. However, it doesn’t mean they can do all the heavy lifting for you. Maintain clear communication with the healthcare staff to know what roles you have to fill before, during, and after engaging ‘mobile flu shots near me’ and 2023 lu vaccine NZ services. It also helps monitor workplace immunisation’s success by recording the number of sick days and incidences of respiratory illnesses.
Conclusion
Per CDC, billions are spent on medical costs for flu-induced illnesses in the US. This doesn’t include the losses incurred by businesses in lost productivity and disruptions to operations. As such, it’s wise to invest in workers’ well-being and health.
An on-site flu shot may entail cost, but it’s still the cheapest way for companies to eliminate potential losses due to the virus down the road. Besides, a healthy and happy worker makes a productive and highly motivated team member.
References:
- Felix Yeung, “Mandating Vaccinations in the Workplace” Employsure, December 19, 2021, https://employsure.co.nz/blog/mandating-vaccinations-in-the-workplace/
- CDC, “Promoting Vaccination in the Workplace,” Center for Disease Prevention and Control, October 25, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/business/promoting-vaccines-workplace.htm
- CDC, “Planning Activities,” Center for Disease Prevention and Control, July 23, 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/mass-clinic-activities/planning-activities.html
- Jamie Morton, “NZ is still flu-free – here’s the problem with that,” nzherald.co.nz, September 29, 2021, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-is-still-flu-free-heres-the-problem-with-that/MMHFMFUXHIN7Y32NGH4TISOIA4/#:~:text=Normally%20each%20year%2C%20more%20than%20200%2C000%20New%20Zealanders,deaths%2C%20and%20more%20than%20the%20annual%20road%20toll.
