WHAT

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated Wednesday, December 8, of National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) to reinforce to businesses and their employees that flu is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death.

Activities will place special emphasis on people working in health care settings who are at risk of getting and spreading flu. Studies conducted in health care settings show when health care workers get vaccinated, vulnerable patients are protected. CDC is engaging employee networks and partners like the National Business Group on Health and promoting resources for businesses and employees on the importance of flu vaccination.

WHEN

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 – Employee Health Day

WHY

According to the National Business Group on Health, an estimated ½ to 2½ workdays are expected to be lost due to flu-related illness. A National Business Group on Health economic analysis also reported that the average annual burden of seasonal influenza among adults aged 18-49 years, who were not considered as high risk for flu-related complications, included approximately 5 million illnesses, 2.4 million outpatient visits, 32,000 hospitalizations and 680 deaths.

BACKGROUND

Influenza (the flu) is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. The first and most important step in protecting against the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season, especially before the traditional winter peak in flu activity. For a complete listing of NIVW activities—and details on the seasonal flu—visit www.flu.gov/getvaccinated.