For the past several weeks, the swine flu outbreak has been an ailment whose presence in the media has been virtually inescapable. Numerous articles, bulletins, and erstwhile diatribes have been produced in rapid succession informing the public about this infamous influenza strain and what precautions you can take to prevent it from infiltrating your body. And when it looked like the frenzy would taper off, the report of the country’s first confirmed swine flu fatality this week caused a slight renaissance of urgency. However, amidst all of the media devotion, very little is being said and done to re-enforce the need of receiving an annual flu shot. This is a shame, because a golden opportunity is being missed.
Obviously, it is imperative during this swine flu outbreak that employers continue to provide their staffs with a goodly amount of information regarding the virus and how to fight it. However, it could be just as important to use the swine flu as a springboard, encouraging employees to embrace the concept of annual shot when the next flu season comes around. Apart from the times when a dramatic case like the swine flu grabs a foothold in mass media, people tend to gloss over the vital significance of taking the precautions necessary to protect themselves from influenza strains. But, since we are in the throes of a prevalent strain that is at the forefront of people’s minds, it would make sense to have the utter importance of receiving a flu shot be fiercely reiterated, even if we are a few months away from the traditional flu season. Granted, there is currently no vaccination available to combat the effects of swine flu. However, that issue should absolutely not detract from the fact that there are a host of other influenza strains that could potentially wreak similar shades of internal havoc, and their potential nastiness can be rendered moot through the power of a vaccine.
And make no mistake: Taking a flu shot is indeed an important undertaking, for reasons that are obvious on a small scale and in a big picture setting. In addition to helping to fight off a nasty, unwanted employee illness, it also combats against business-related ailments such as missed time, decreased production, and lowered morale. When viewed from that added perspective, the concept of talking up an annual flu shot amongst the workforce should look quite attractive proposal for all employers to undertake, if not a crucial one.
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