Getting a flu shot can help keep you healthy and productive. It can also keep influenza out of your home. By avoiding influenza at work, you’ll be less likely to pass it on to your children, spouse, parents, grandparents, or other loved ones.
In an average year, working adults in the US miss 70 million days of work due to influenza. Experts estimate that the flu cost US workers as much as $10 billion in lost wages during the 2006-2007 influenza season.5
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu shot for over 250 million Americans.1-3 More than likely, this includes you and many of your coworkers.
Influenza vaccination typically begins in the fall and can continue through the spring. In many seasons, influenza virus activity doesn't peak until February or March, so vaccination any time throughout the entire flu season is beneficial and recommended.1
Other workers recommended for annual influenza vaccination are health-care professionals, who should receive the influenza vaccine to protect not only themselves but their patients. Many patients are at an increased risk for influenza and its related complications, so preventing the spread of influenza in a health-care setting is especially important. Unfortunately, only 42% of health-care professionals currently remember to get their annual flu shot.1
No matter where you work, vaccination is a safe and effective way to avoid influenza. Get your flu shot this and every year.
Did you know?
Clinical Nurse Supervisor
Lourdes Diaz knows the importance of being immunized against the flu – she’s worked in health-care for over 15 years. She got influenza during a busy year when she did not have time to get a flu shot and lost nearly a week’s work – and pay.

Pro-football Player, Announcer, Son, and Father
At the age of 32, five-time Pro Bowler and former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick was tackled by the flu. The virus hit him so hard that he was hospitalized for three days.

Fire Chief, City of Phoenix Fire Department
Fire Chief Bob knows that, healthy or not, the flu and its complications can stop him and his crew of 2000 firefighters in their tracks.

American Lung Association of Illinois, Greater Chicago
Hugo Alvarez, MD, knows all too well the dangers influenza and its related complications can cause for people with asthma — even more so when families are not educated on the dangers of influenza and the need to get vaccinated.

National Spokesperson
Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi takes her career as a figure skater seriously. Yet, since her victories, on "Dancing with the Stars," and experience as an American role model, she has taken on an even more serious role in life—her family.

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Basketball Star, and Mother
Legendary women’s basketball player Sheryl Swoopes gets vaccinated against the flu every year to help protect herself as well as her son, Jordan, who lives with asthma.

Olympic Gold Medalist and Mother
Olympic Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers was almost sidelined by the flu during her days as a college athlete, but she persevered from this illness and went on to become the first-ever black athlete from any nation to win a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
The mission of the American Lung Association is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.