Employer Benefits for Vaccinating Employees

As an employer in Colorado, providing vaccinations to your employees is something worth considering. Depending on your industry, vaccinations may be vital to protecting the health of your employees and those you serve. Good examples of this would be healthcare workers or those who work with the elderly or even children.

Even for employers outside of these industries, vaccinating your employees is still an important protection. Ensuring that your employees are vaccinated not only shows that their personal health is important to you; it also provides several big occupational health benefits to your business. These include:

  • Fewer sick rates and absences due to influenza-like illness
  • Reduced cost due to fewer absences, resulting in improved productivity
  • Improved morale due to lack of absences and less individual work-load
  • Vaccinations are often covered under employee health plans

At Colorado Occupational Medical Partners, we can provide employee immunizations to ensure that your employees are protected.

Employee Immunizations Offered at Colorado Occupational Medical Partners

Influenza (Flu) Vaccination

Influenza (the flu) is a viral respiratory illness caused by different influenza viruses. These viruses are highly contagious and can infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. The flu can cause mild to severe illness, sometimes leading to death.

Because the flu can vary in severity, it can have a range of symptoms including:

  • Fever or Chills
  • Cough
  • Runny nose or stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

Since every flu strain is different, the best way to prevent getting the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Colorado ranks 21st overall nationwide with a 51.4% flu immunization rate among adults.

Tdap Vaccination

The Tdap vaccine prevents 3 different diseases: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis.

  • Tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful stiffening of the muscles. Tetanus can lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing, lockjaw, or even death. Tetanus is usually contracted from contaminated objects that break through the skin, such as stepping on a nail.
  • Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that creates toxins within the body. These toxins can cause difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, or even death. Diphtheria is generally spread through respiratory droplets, usually from coughing or sneezing.
  • Pertussis (aka whooping cough) is a bacterial infection that causes violent coughing spells, making it hard to breathe, eat, or drink. While pertussis can affect anyone regardless of age, it is especially serious for infants and young children. It is also usually spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.

The Tdap vaccine is given in a single dose, generally at 11 or 12 years of age. Adults who were not vaccinated previously and want to be protected against these 3 diseases should also get the vaccine.

According to America’s Health Rankings, Colorado ranks 14th overall nationwide with a 90.3% Tdap immunization rate.

Hepatitis A Vaccination

Hepatitis A is a serious, contagious liver disease that is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) Hepatitis A is usually spread by coming into contact with an infected person or ingesting food or drinks that are contaminated with trace amounts of infected fecal matter.

Symptoms of hepatitis A can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Joint pain
  • Dark urine
  • Clay-colored bowel movements
  • Yellow skin and/or eyes (jaundice)

The hepatitis A vaccine is usually given to children in 2 doses. The first dose is generally administered at 12-23 months of age, and the second dose is given at least 6 months after the first dose. Adults who were not vaccinated before should also get the vaccine.

Hepatitis B Vaccination

Hepatitis B is another serious liver disease that can affect your liver and is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause a mild illness lasting a few weeks (acute hepatitis B infection) or it can lead to a serious, lifelong illness (chronic hepatitis B infection). Hepatitis B is spread primarily through bodily fluids, such as through sexual contact or sharing needles.

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B infections include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Jaundice

Chronic hepatitis B occurs when the virus remains in a person’s body after an extended period of time. Most people with chronic hepatitis B do not show symptoms, but it can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, and even death. Even though people with chronic hepatitis B may be asymptomatic, they can still spread the virus to others.

The hepatitis B vaccine is generally given in 2, 3, or 4 shots. The first dose is given at birth, and the rest of the doses are usually administered within the first 6 months of age. Adults who have not been vaccinated before should also get the vaccine.

At Colorado Occupational Medical Partners, our mission is to deliver the highest quality of occupational health care and physical rehabilitation to return patients to their highest level of function. Our team is dedicated to employers and patients, and we strive to develop strong, positive relationships with a culture based on safety, transparency, empathy, and trust. To find out more, find our location nearest to you.

Let Colorado Occupational Medical Partners be your source for occupational therapies and care in Colorado.