Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

A Toolkit for Businesses and Employers
Seasonal 

Flu 

Vaccine

CDC recommends a yearly 

flu vaccine as the first 

and most important step 

in protecting against 

flu viruses

Every year influenza, or “flu,” affects employers and businesses. Flu costs 

businesses approximately $10.4 billion1 in direct costs for hospitalizations and 

outpatient visits for adults.

•While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against 

the three viruses that research suggests will be most common each year. 

•The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, 

an influenza B virus, and the influenza A H1N1. 

•Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against 

the flu as soon as seasonal vaccine is available. 

1 Molinari NA, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Messonnier ML, et al. The annual impact of seasonal influenza in the US: measuring disease burde n and costs. 

Vaccine. 2007; 25(27):5086-96. 

. 
Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

Table of Contents

1. Recommended Strategies for Businesses and Employers. Learn what two 

strategies are recommended to businesses and employers this flu season.

2. Promoting Seasonal Flu Vaccination: A Checklist for Businesses and 

Employers. Use this checklist to get started! 

3. Flu Vaccine Clinic Here! Host a flu vaccine clinic in the workplace and use 

this flyer. Complete with fillable text boxes so you can add the location, 

date, and time of your flu vaccine clinic.

4. You Need a Flu Vaccine. Encourage employees to get vaccinated at 

locations in the community. Navigate to the Flu Vaccine Finder website to 

find locations offering flu vaccine, then update the flyer and post.

5. Note to Self. Share this flyer with employees to encourage flu vaccination. 

Consider posting this in the workplace, or copy and place in mailboxes or 

include in pay statements or newsletters.

6. Note to Small Businesses. Share this flyer with other workplace managers 

and supervisors to kickoff discussions about flu vaccination planning.

7. CDC Says “Take 3 Actions” To Fight The Flu. Use this brochure to promote 

flu vaccination.

8. Helpful Links. Be aware of helpful links for businesses and employers.

9. Web Tools. Promote flu vaccination using web technology.

10. Print Materials. Take advantage of helpful materials to learn about seasonal 

flu, plus additional posters and brochures.
Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

Recommended Strategies for Businesses and Employers 

The purpose of this Toolkit is to help businesses and employers fight the flu and 

to offer tips and suggestions to consider when planning and responding to the 

seasonal flu. Additional information can be found at the CDC website, 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/business

CDC recommends two strategies this season 

for businesses and employers to help fight the flu. 

Strategy 1: Host a flu vaccination clinic in the workplace. 

To minimize absenteeism, employers frequently offer onsite seasonal flu 

vaccination to employees at no or low cost to their employees. This option can 

work well if the employer has an on-site occupational health clinic. If you don’t 

have a clinic, pharmacies and community vaccinators can be contracted to provide 

seasonal flu vaccination services on-site. By providing the vaccination at the 

workplace, employers reduce the many barriers that can prevent a worker from 

getting vaccinated. 

Strategy 2: Promote flu vaccination in the community. 

Make sure your employees know where they and their family can get seasonal flu 

vaccination in the community. Find out about health providers, pharmacies or 

clinics that offer seasonal flu vaccinations in your community. Partner with a 

pharmacy or provider to get your employees vaccinated.

Even healthy people can get the flu, and it can be serious.
 

 Get senior management buy in to support a flu vaccination clinic at the workplace.  Use incentives for flu vaccination to increase 

participation, such as offering vaccine at no or 

 Frame getting employees vaccinated against flu low cost, providing refreshments at the clinic, 

as a business priority and create a goal aligned with or holding a contest for the department with 

this effort. the highest percentage of vaccinated 

 employees. 

 Identify a flu vaccination coordinator and/or team 

with defined roles and responsibilities. Occupational  Promote the flu vaccination clinic with 

health personnel or workplace safety staff may lead the following: 

these efforts for employers. Determine if you will need to contract with an experienced outside provider of flu  Posters about the importance of flu 

vaccination services (such as a pharmacy or community vaccination can be posted in break rooms, 

immunizer). The planning process should also include input cafeterias, and other high traffic areas. 

from employees, and labor representatives, if needed. 

 An article in company communications 

 Schedule the flu vaccination clinic to maximize (i.e., newsletters, intranet, emails, portals, 

employee participation. Flu season usually begins in etc.) about the clinic and flu prevention. 

the Fall each year.  Promotional posters/flyers to advertise 

 Gauge need and demand among employees for flu the date and time of the clinic should be 

vaccination. Provide sufficient and accessible flu posted in high traffic areas. 

vaccination in as many business locations as possible.  Communication from business leadership 

 Ask managers and supervisors to allow employees to directly to employees promoting 

attend onsite flu vaccination clinic as part of their work day vaccination. 

and without having to “go off of the clock.” 

 Provide a comfortable and convenient 

 Consider offering flu vaccination to employees’ families. location for flu vaccination clinics. Consider the demands of space and need for privacy. 

 Set a goal and help show employees how their 

participation matters. Each year, try to improve upon  Set an example by encouraging managers 

the percentage of employees vaccinated. and business leaders to get vaccinated first. 

Be a partner in good health. Consider offering onsite flu vaccination (flu shot, nasal spray, 

or both) at your business locations(s) and encourage employees to seek flu vaccination 

in the community. Review flu vaccination prevention and rationale 

with senior managers, employees, and labor representatives. 

 Be flexible in your HR policies. Establish policies that allow for 

employees to take an hour or two to seek flu vaccinations in the 

community. 

 Partner with nearby pharmacies or clinics to arrange for 

employees to get vaccinated. If the business shares a building, 

shopping center, or office park with other employers, see if the 

property manager will host a flu vaccination clinic for all of the 

tenants’ employees. 

 Use promotional posters/flyers to advertise locations in the 

community that offer seasonal flu vaccinations. Display posters 

about the flu vaccination in break rooms, cafeterias, and other 

high traffic areas. 

 Post articles in company communications (i.e., newsletters, intranet, emails, portals, etc.) 

about the importance of flu vaccination and where 

to get the vaccine in the community. 

 Encourage flu vaccination for employees’ 

families by distributing information for 

employees to take home. 

Promoting Seasonal Flu Vaccination 

A Checklist for Businesses and Employers 

IF YOU CHOOSE TO PROMOTE FLU VACCINATION IN THE COMMUNITY 

IF YOU CHOOSE TO HOST A FLU VACCINATION CLINIC 
Flu Vaccine Clinic Here!

CDC recommends a yearly 

flu vaccine as the first 

and most important step 

in protecting against 

flu viruses

Location:

Date:

Time:

Even healthy people can get the flu, and it can be serious.
You Need a Flu Vaccine

CDC recommends a yearly 

flu vaccine as the first 

and most important step 

in protecting against 

flu viruses

Visit www.flu.gov

Even healthy people can get the flu, and it can be serious.
Note to Self

CDC recommends a yearly 

flu vaccine as the first 

and most important step 

in protecting against 

flu viruses

Even healthy people can get the flu, and it can be serious.
Note To Small Businesses

CDC recommends that all 

people ages 6 months and 

older get vaccinated.

Find out about health 

providers, pharmacies or 

clinics that offer seasonal 

flu vaccinations in your 

community. 

Consider hosting a seasonal 

flu vaccine clinic at work.

Promote flu vaccination!

For a Small Business, Flu is a Big Disruption
CDC Says

“Take 3”

Actions

To Fight The Flu

Flu is a serious 

contagious disease 

that can lead to 

hospitalization

and even death.

Flu-like symptoms 

include: 

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■ 

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fever

cough

sore throat

runny or stuffy nose 

body aches

headache

chills

fatigue

Some people also may have 

vomiting and diarrhea. People 

may be infected with the flu, 

and have respiratory symptoms 

without a fever. 

For more information, visit Department of Health and 

www.cdc.gov/flu Human Services

or www.flu.gov Centers for Disease 

or call 800-CDC-INFO. Control and Prevention

July 2011

CS225334-A
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CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

1 Take time 

to get 

a flu vaccine.

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

2 Take everyday preventive 3 Take flu antiviral 

drugs if your doctor

prescribes them.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you 

cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after 

you use it. 

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap 

and water are not available, use an alcohol-based 

hand rub.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs 

spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends 

that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your 

fever is gone except to get medical care or for other 

necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the 

use of a fever-reducing medicine.) 

While sick, limit contact with others as much as 

possible to keep from infecting them.

 If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat ■ ■

■

■

■

■
# #

 

#

CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

1 Take time 

to get 

a flu vaccine.

 ■ 

2 Take everyday preventive 3 Take flu antiviral 

drugs if your doctor

prescribes them.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and 

most important step in protecting against flu viruses.

 While there are many different flu viruses, the flu 

vaccine protects against the three viruses that 

research suggests will be most common.

 The 2011–2012 flu vaccine will protect against an 

influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and 

the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009 to cause a 

pandemic.

 Everyone 6 months of age and older should get 

a flu vaccine as soon as the 2011–2012 vaccines 

are available.

Vaccination of high risk persons is especially 

important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.

 People at high risk of serious flu complications 

include young children, pregnant women, people 

with chronic health conditions like asthma, 

diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 

65 years and older.

Vaccination also is important for health care workers, 

and other people who live with or care for high risk 

people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.

 Children younger than 6 months are at high risk 

of serious flu illness, but are too young to be 

vaccinated. People who care for them should be 

vaccinated instead.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you 

cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after 

you use it. 

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap 

and water are not available, use an alcohol-based 

hand rub.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs 

spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends 

that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your 

fever is gone except to get medical care or for other 

necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the 

use of a fever-reducing medicine.) 

While sick, limit contact with others as much as 

possible to keep from infecting them.

■

■

■

■

■

 If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat 

your illness. 

Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. 

They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid 

or an inhaled powder) and are not available 

over-the-counter. 

 Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and 

shorten the time you are sick. They may also 

prevent serious flu complications. 

It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used 

early (within the first 2 days of symptoms) to treat 

people who are very sick (such as those who 

are hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu 

symptoms and who are at increased risk of severe 

flu illness, such as pregnant women, young 

children, people 65 and older and people with 

certain chronic health conditions. 

Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, 

sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, 

headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also 

may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may 

be infected with the flu, and have respiratory 

symptoms without a fever. 

 ■ 
Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

Helpful Links 

The 2011-2012 Flu Season

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/

Seasonal Flu Information for Workplaces and Employers

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/business

What’s New on Seasonal Flu (check back regularly!)

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm

Seasonal Flu Video and Audio Tools (great to use in meetings!)

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/media.htm

National Influenza Vaccination Week, the National Influenza Vaccination 

Week (NIVW) is a national observance that was established to highlight the 

importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of 

flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. NIVW 2011–2012 is 

scheduled for December 4–10, 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/

Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

Questions and Answers: 2011-2012 Influenza Season

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2011-2012.htm

Questions and Answers: Seasonal Flu Shot

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm
Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

More Helpful Links 

Preventing Seasonal Flu with Vaccination

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/index.htm 

What You Should Know about Flu Antiviral Drugs Fact Sheet

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/antiviral_factsheet1011.pdf

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): 

Place of Influenza Vaccination Among Adults The workplace is the second 

most common place of vaccination for those aged 18–49 years and 50–64 years 

(25.7% and 21.1%, respectively).

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6023a3.htm?s_cid=mm602

3a3_w

FluVaxView – Influenza Vaccination Coverage Provides vaccination 

coverage estimates from multiple sources. Reports, interactive maps, trend lines, 

bar charts and data tables are provided.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccinecoverage.htm

More Information from CDC and HHS on Seasonal and Pandemic Flu

http://flu.gov (In English)

http://espanol.pandemicflu.gov/pandemicflu/enes/24/_flu_gov/ (En Español)
Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

More Helpful Links 

Interventions to Promote Seasonal Influenza Vaccinations Among 

Non-Healthcare Workers, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services 

recommends interventions with on-site, reduced cost, and actively promoted 

influenza vaccinations, when implemented alone or as part of a multi-component 

intervention, based on sufficient evidence of their effectiveness in increasing 

influenza vaccination coverage among workers in worksites.

http://www.thecommunityguide.org/worksite/flunon-hcw.html

National Business Group on Health, Vaccinating Against the Flu: A 

Business Case, includes statistics about flu vaccination given at the workplace.

http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/pdfs/Final%20Proof%20-

%20Seasonal%20Influenza.pdf
Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

Web Tools

Click on the icon or go to the link for more tools, buttons, and widgets to use on 

your website or in your email signature line at work. 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/buttons_badges.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/web_tools.htm
Make It Your Business 

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

Print Materials

Everyday Preventive Actions That Can Help Fight Germs, Like Flu

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/everyday_preventive.pdf 

Brochure

Who Needs a Flu Vaccine 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/general/f_universal_you_print.pdf

Poster

Who Needs a Flu Vaccine

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/general/p_universal_question_officeprint.pdf 

Poster

CDC Says “Take 3 Actions” To Fight The Flu 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/general/take3-poster.pdf

Poster
Make It Your Business 

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

More Print Materials

Flu & You 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/FluandYou_press.pdf

Brochure

Cover Your Cough

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/cdc_cough.pdf 

Poster

Inactivated Influenza Vaccine 

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf

Fact Sheet

Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine 

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flulive.pdf

 Fact Sheet
Make It Your Business

To Fight The Flu

Promoting the 2011 – 2012 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine 

More Print Materials

No More Excuses, You Need a Flu Vaccine 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/general/no-excuses-flu-vaccine.pdf 

2-Page Poster or Brochure 

More Print Materials: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/print.htm