Does An Ounce Of Prevention Really Work?

Many metro companies pay to have employees vaccinated against the flu, even though there are no hard numbers that show the ROI is worth the investment.

Matt Bolch

October 22, 2007

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza and pneumonia combined are the eighth-leading cause of death in the United States and Georgia, killing nearly 63,000 nationally in 2005.

Despite that, national vaccination rates continue to hover around the 40 percent mark, despite an increased focus on producing sufficient vaccine following two years of shortages.

This year, the CDC says 132 million doses have been produced for the United States, an increase of 11 million doses. Last year, 15 percent of the vaccine went unused and was destroyed because each year's vaccine is designed to combat the flu strains that scientists think will be most prevalent.

Believing in the "ounce of prevention" adage, many Georgia companies pay to have employees vaccinated against the flu, even though those who pay for vaccinations cannot cite hard cost/benefit numbers to quantify the savings.

Anecdotally, employers say offering a vaccination program decreases absenteeism among employees and their families who receive the vaccine and a feeling the company cares about the health of its workers.

Wells Real Estate Funds in Norcross offers flu vaccinations as part of its annual health fair for the company's 340 local employees. "We started the program four years ago, in conjunction with a focus on overall wellness within the organization," says Andy May, VPof employee relations and talent management. "It's become a much-anticipated event."

Wells is a national real estate investment company that has invested more than $10 billion in real estate for more than 200,000 investors since opening its doors in 1984. The company has an additional four-dozen employees spread among satellite offices that mainly support the company's REIT operations.

The health fair includes wellness sessions, catered food, a massage therapist, flu shots, visits with insurance providers and a comprehensive blood panel for those who choose it.

A week after the test, each participant receives a report in the mail describing the results in layman's terms and an A-B-C grade by a physician. The company spends about $40,000 annually on the health fair, depending on the amount of participation by employees and dependents covered by the company's self-funded insurance plan.

"We've been able to discover several health problems early on and get those people treated before their conditions became acute," says Susanna Johnson, manager of benefits and HRIS. "Last year, one of the employees got his report and was urged to see the doctor. The person averted bypass surgery through drug intervention."

Wells contracts with HealthCheck Services Inc., Dawsonville Ga., to give the flu shots and draw the blood. The annual health fair is one of the reasons Wells Financial Group was named by "The Principal" as one of the 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security.

While Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has been named by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in 2007, its vaccination program serves a more important purpose than garnering workplace accolades. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission, which accredits health care facilities, mandate an annual vaccination program.

"CMS and the Joint Commission strongly encourage a vaccination program, including an annual evaluation about how the facility can do better the following season," says Renee Watson, manager of infection control and occupational health.

Last year, the hospital system spent $75,000 giving 4,800 shots for its 6,200 employees. Flu immunization rates were 78 percent for front-line employees and 70 percent overall. While these rates are much higher than the 40 percent national average, Watson is working hard this year to raise vaccination rates. The hospital also offers the vaccine to its independent practitioners and volunteer staff.

"We bring in a contract coordinator and contract nurses to take the vaccinations to the people," she says. "We're a 24/7 institution, so we're strategically positioned in the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch, on the shuttles from the parking lots –wherever our people are." That would include three hospitals, the office park where the corporate headquarters is located and several off-site offices and clinics.

After the vaccination period, Watson's office analyzes usage by department to determine which areas had the highest and lowest compliance rates in order to increase overall compliance.

Planning to offer annual flu shots begins in June for Charise McCarley, director of wellness for Sedgwick Claims Management Inc., a 6,200-employee firm based in Memphis. The claims management company has 150 offices nationwide, including 360 employees in Georgia.

For the past two years, McCarley has chosen VaxxOne to conduct vaccination days at 55 of its largest offices. McCarley found VaxxOne by doing research and asking colleagues at other companies about their experiences.

"VaxxOne takes the entire responsibility, staffing the events with trained clinicians who secure the employee release, do the injections, know what to look for and ask employees to stay around for a few minutes afterward to watch out for any side effects," says McCarley, who adds that contracting with one provider for multiple offices makes the process easier, with one contract for legal to review.

Last year, 54 percent of employees were vaccinated, either at in-office clinics or by private providers, which the company also pays for. Spouses and children over 18 also are welcome at the clinics, but dependents pay for their vaccinations. Sedgwick CMS spent $60,000in 2006 on its vaccination program.

The vaccination program, in its fifth year, was started in response to employee requests.  Says Watson, "We don't have hard-dollar figures about the effectiveness of the program, but because we're a third-party administrator, if people aren't at their desks when claims come in, they can't do their jobs.

"We don't have to save many people from the debilitating effectsof the flu to come out ahead on what we spend.