Business owners face this fall yet another season of respiratory illness — along with the potential effects on employees. The severity will depend on several factors within their control.

Flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19 pose significant challenges to maintaining a healthy workforce. Based on a 2023 literature review in the medical journal PharmacoEconomics, “There is a consistent productivity burden of influenza … on employees, employers and societies worldwide.” Up to
75 percent of employees miss two to three days of work from flu symptoms alone each season.

Not surprisingly, employees vaccinated against respiratory illness miss less work due to the effects of those illnesses than their unvaccinated coworkers.

Mesa County Public Health makes it easy and convenient to get vaccines for flu, RSV and COVID-19. Depending on the size of your business, MCPH providers could even come to your location to conduct on-site flu clinics. The result? Less lost work time for workers who get vaccinated and healthier employees throughout the flu season.

Mesa County Public Health offers vaccinations during regular business hours. Walk-ins are accepted for the flu vaccine. However, patients who make appointments won’t have to wait to be seen. Call (970) 248-6900 to schedule an appointment.

A drive-through flu clinic is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21 in the parking lot of Mesa County Public Health at 510 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. Participants should stay in their vehicles and bring an ID and their insurance cards.

Seniors 65 and older can also participate in a flu vaccine clinic — one including coffee and pastries — from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 23.

Flu vaccinations are typically covered by insurance. Cost shouldn’t be a barrier, however. For those who don’t have insurance, other options are available.

The Public Health Clinic will receive limited doses of the new COVID-19 booster by mid-October. Call (970) 248-6900 to schedule an appointment.

Finally, check out the What’s Going Around webpage under “community services” at https://health.mesacounty.us for current respiratory illness information.

To keep employees safe and healthy, consider their needs heading into the respiratory illness season. Develop or update sick leave policies that allow employees to stay home from work while sick. Ask employees who develop respiratory illness symptoms during the workday to immediately separate themselves from coworkers and go home. When possible, create policies that allow for flexibility in where and how employees complete work.

Finally, create a work environment that’s conducive to preventing respiratory illness. These include no-touch trash cans, tissues and hand sanitizer in easy-access locations and education about hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.