Promoting immunizations can fit well into employee wellness programs. The Mayo Clinic reports that there is overwhelming evidence that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases. Maybe you have already hosted an influenza vaccination event at your workplace or would like to encourage flu vaccinations. You might also be considering how to promote the COVID-19 vaccine. Or perhaps you’re thinking of promoting immunizations in general—the Immunization Action Coalition reports that only about 1 in 5 adults is up to date on vaccinations. Whatever you decide, the following resources may be helpful.  

1. The COVID-19 vaccine is the top news, and many of you are wondering how it will impact your workplace. You may also be wondering what role you and your wellness program should play in promoting the vaccine. Consider the following:

• Read and share current information on vaccine benefits from the CDC.
• Provide information on vaccine safety and where to find credible information. Fact sheets are available in multiple languages.
• Promote current information on why, how, and when to get the vaccine from the Minnesota Department of Health or Hennepin County.
• Consider the demographics of your employee population and educate yourself and others by reading the online article Addressing Racial Equity in Vaccine Distribution.

2. Planning to promote general information on immunizations? Vaccination can be a sensitive subject, but you can use valid sources to provide information for adults and their family members by sharing the following:

• Encourage your employees to take this online assessment from the CDC to see what vaccinations they need (also available in Spanish).
• Share this fact sheet on the importance of being vaccinated.
• Find free posters and flyers and videos on recommended vaccines for adults.
• Check with your insurance provider to find out what immunizations are covered and share that information with your employees.

3. Thinking about ways to promote influenza vaccinations? It’s not too late to promote annual flu shots, and the CDC says it’s more important than ever to protect yourself and others during the pandemic. The CDC offers customizable graphics and sample messages for social media. They also provide a variety of resources for employers with free posters, videos, and fact sheets in multiple languages.
4. Don’t forget to share this month’s E-tips What’s the buzz? Vaccination information with your employees (located below).

Click here to read this month's E-tips for your employees: "What’s the buzz? Vaccination information."

To share these E-tips with employees, you can:  

• Email the E-tips document to your staff as an attachment. 1) Click the link to download and save the E-tips to your computer. 2) Add your organization's logo in the bottom left corner. 3) Then send it as an email attachment to staff. 
• Print the document once you've added your organization's logo and post it in a common area in your workplace.
• Copy and paste the text into your organization's newsletter.

Health@Work resources and events

Advancing Wellness Together free event

You don’t want to miss our Advancing Wellness Together event on Tuesday, February 2 from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. via Zoom.

Our featured speaker is Albert Jordan, Director of Human Resources & DEI at Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, in a conversation on “How you do anything…” The focus of the conversation will be quality and excellence to fully serve the mission of the organization.

E-mail linda.brandt@hennepin.us with questions.

Missed last month's E-tips?

Click here to read our January E-tips on work-life.