While many believe the flu to be a relatively minor illness, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports tens of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands die from flu-related illnesses each year in the United States. The flu costs the United States more than $87 billion annually and is responsible for the loss of close to 17 million workdays each flu season.

The seasonal flu vaccine prevented more than 40,000 flu-associated deaths in the United States during a nine year period from 2005 through 2014 according to estimates in a recent study. Children younger than 5 years old and adults 65 years of age and older are at high risk of serious flu complications and typically account for the majority of flu-associated deaths and have the highest flu-associated hospitalization rates.

The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Most seasonal flu activity typically occurs between October and May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. Children younger than 6 months are at higher risk of serious flu complications, but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Individuals living with or caring for an infant younger than 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine to help protect them from flu.

People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available, ideally by October, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.

The CDC offers the following guidance for employers looking to protect and prepare employees for the flu season. http://www.cdcfoundation.org/businesspulse/flu-prevention

For assistance in scheduling a flu clinic at your location, contact your NEEBCo representative.