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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has “projected lost earnings due to illness and loss of life” because of influenza at $16.3 billion annually. The same study reported that “the total economic burden of annual influenza epidemics using projected statistical life values amounted to $87.1 billion.”

As flu season approaches, an important note for employers and employees who wonder whether they should get a flu shot? The CDC report concludes: “While hospitalization costs are important contributors, lost productivity from missed work days and lost lives comprise the bulk of the economic burden of influenza.”

So what should employers and employees do? One piece of advice might be: Act like a healthcare worker.

MedPage reports that “Physicians, Long-Term Care Workers Set Flu Vaccination Records:
Nearly 80% of healthcare workers had their shots in last flu season.”

The report continues: “A total of 79% of healthcare workers, including nonmedical staff, were vaccinated for the 2015-2016 season, an increase from 77.3% seen the year before and 75.2% in 2013-2014. Last year's figure included an all-time high of 95.6% of physicians and nearly 70% of long-term care workers.”

And it's not just the CDC that's making recommendations to get vaccinated. MedPage states: “the American Nurses Association encouraged nurses to set a good example by getting vaccinated themselves.”