Oct 18, 2024 Flu Shots for Health & Wealth
Health is wealth and when flu season arrives each year, getting the flu shot becomes critical in protecting physical and financial wellness. Flu shots are a proactive step in health and help reduce illness-related work absenteeism and costly medical expenses, making them a sensible investment overall.
Non-hospitalized flu patients with sick leave in North America average 14 to 24 hours in workplace absence and those without sick leave tend to take less time off in the United States.[1] Studies estimate the cost of missing wages for roughly 3 days of work is equivalent to a household’s grocery or utility bill for a month.[2] Taking time off, even if needed for illness, can be a challenging decision for many workers between missing pay or delaying treatment. Neither situation is ideal for their physical or financial circumstances.
Beyond the issue of absenteeism, medical treatment for the flu, especially for hospitalization can be a high expense. In the United States, hospitalization costs range from $7,000 upward. [3]
The Kairos Impact Foundation is proud to address the challenge flu season poses on households every year by offering residents flu education and hosting free on-site flu shot clinics in collaboration with health partners wherever there is demand.
Our annual flu initiative is part of our Good Health & Wellbeing programming, which aligns with one of the six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that The Kairos Impact Foundation strives toward. Learn more about how we integrate the SDGs here: https://kairosimpact.org/sustainable-goals/ .
[1] Courville, C., Cadarette, S. M., Wissinger, E., & Alvarez, F. P. (2022). The economic burden of influenza among adults aged 18 to 64: A systematic literature review. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 16(3), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.12963
[2] Gould, E., & Schieder, J. (2017, June 28). Work sick or lose pay?: The high cost of being sick when you don’t get paid sick days. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/work-sick-or-lose-pay-the-high-cost-of-being-sick-when-you-dont-get-paid-sick-days/
[3] Courville, C., Cadarette, S. M., Wissinger, E., & Alvarez, F. P. (2022). The economic burden of influenza among adults aged 18 to 64: A systematic literature review. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 16(3), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.12963
