01.11.06
There is still time for transport industry companies to arrange flu vaccinations for their employees before winter
Workplace health specialist Medicals Direct says that, whilst its vaccination programme started in September, it can still accommodate additional group bookings for the coming weeks – and many employers are opting to invest in flu protection rather than leave staff vulnerable to flu.
Many medical experts agree that the likelihood of a flu pandemic increases each year, with the risk that the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus (for which there is no vaccine) could ‘piggy-back’ on the traditional flu virus.
Companies opting for the Medicals Direct mobile vaccination service will have a fully-trained nurse visit their premises (including multiple sites) to administer vaccinations to all members of staff who wish to be protected. Each participating staff member is asked only to complete a simple consent form that also checks for potential allergies.
“Our experience from the 2005/6 vaccination programme shows that protection against flu is one ‘perk’ that staff really appreciate,” says David Patterson, clinics director for Medicals Direct. “What’s more, it’s very cost-effective for the employer. At only £15.00 for a single site vaccination it is only a fraction of the cost of sick leave for someone stricken with flu and the influenza virus also has a nasty habit of spreading right across the workforce.”
In addition, Medicals Direct, a firm accredited by Link Up, offers PTS medicals on-site or at local clinics through a countrywide team of nurses and its clinic near Liverpool Street provides specialist medicals for London Underground personnel. With Medicals Direct, diversified public transport operators have access to medicals for bus drivers and light rail/tram/metro staff as well as railway workers across the main national network.
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