New research outlining potential savings for companies through workplace vaccination programme has been released by Doctorcall, the longest-standing provider of private flu vaccinations in the UK.
Research indicates that providing flu vaccinations in the workplace can save companies £87 per employee each year, more than offsetting the cost of the vaccination.
Additional benefits include reduced absenteeism and increased employee satisfaction.
Flu Vaccination Savings Calculation:
According to statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average worker loses 5.7 workdays per year due to illness. Minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, flu, and gastrointestinal issues account for 29.3% of these lost days, equating to 1.67 days lost per year per employee. With flu responsible for roughly 20% of minor illness cases, this results in approximately 0.33 days lost per worker annually due to flu.
The average cost of a day of absence in the private sector is £522. Therefore, the cost of flu-related absenteeism is estimated at £174 per employee per year. Considering the flu vaccine’s effectiveness, which ranges from 40-60%, a 50% effectiveness rate translates to an average saving of £87 per employee annually through workplace flu vaccination.
Pneumonia:
Pneumonia cases, which often begin with flu, result in an average of 14 days of sick leave per occurrence, costing businesses £7,308 per case. Pneumonia not only causes significant absenteeism but also poses severe health risks with a high mortality rate.
Offering flu vaccinations to key workers can also mitigate this risk, as influenza can often lead to pneumonia.
Benefits of Workplace Vaccination
- Reduced Absenteeism: Decreasing the number of sick days taken due to flu and pneumonia, particularly unplanned absenteeism which is extremely disruptive
- Cost Savings: Significant savings on the costs associated with employee sick leave.
- Employee Satisfaction: Employees appreciate the convenience and health benefits of receiving vaccinations at work, enhancing overall workplace morale and productivity.
Dr Charles Levinson, Doctorcall Medical Director, believes that implementing a workplace vaccination program is a cost-effective strategy that benefits both employers and employees. Levinson emphasises how his goal is to help companies maintain a healthy workforce while simultaneously reducing the heavy financial impact of illness-related unplanned absenteeism.
Levinson comments:
These findings demonstrate the high value provided by a workplace flu vaccination programme – more and more companies are using our service, and these findings show that they are making a sound investment which benefits both the company, and the employee.
Dr Charles Levinson, Doctorcall Medical Director
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.