On-Site Flu Shots: Employee Perk or Employer Headache?

by Susan Martin

Thinking about offering your employees flu shots this fall? It might be just what the doctor ordered!  Here’s what metro St. Louis employers are doing to minimize the nasty flu bug.

The Survey Says
According to a 2014 survey of 209 metro St. Louis and central Illinois businesses conducted by AAIM Employers’ Association, 70% of the survey respondents annually offer on-site flu shots to their employees.

The majority (60%) of the employers cover the full cost of the immunization, while the employees’ health insurance covers the full (or partial) cost for 30% of the respondents. The full cost of the flu shot is paid by the employee at 5% of the businesses, while the company contributes a portion of the cost in another 5% of the businesses. The average employer contribution is $16.72 per employee.  

According to the survey, the most popular vendors of on-site flu shots are: Visiting Nurse Association, county health departments, in-house nurses, H&H Health Associates and various drugstores.

Issues to Consider

Making flu shots mandatory for employees does have its legal headaches. Employers should be prepared to work with employees who have medical or religious reasons for refusal of the vaccine. Also, anti-discrimination laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act may prohibit enforcement of mandatory flu shots.

For helpful resources, check out http://www.flu.gov/planning-preparedness/business/index.html.

Susan Martin (susan.martin@aaimea.org) is member answer center coordinator for AAIM Employers’ Association, which helps Missouri and Illinois companies manage their people and processes.