Flu fighters: spreading vaccine awareness

In mid-October, the Northern Hemisphere welcomes winter, bringing respite from the humid heat of summer but also an influx of flu cases. Expats travel to celebrate the holiday season, and tourists flock in. Both parties travel with not just baggage but also unfamiliar viruses that, paired with cooler weather, contribute to the ideal environment for flu to flourish.

The flu, short for influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It commonly affects the nose, throat, and, in some cases, the lungs. The flu can range from mild to severe and can lead to complications, especially in vulnerable populations.

Symptoms typically include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. Since influenza viruses can change over time, new variants emerge every season which is why vaccines are developed annually. Getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and taking preventive measures are essential in reducing the risk of contracting and spreading the flu.

Who is affected the most?

Whilst flu can affect people of all ages, certain demographic groups, such as young children, people with underlying health conditions and the elderly, are more susceptible to severe illness and complications.

A study revealed that in 2022, only 1.8% of the UAE’s population was aged 65 or older. However, as the economy and laws surrounding property ownership within the UAE evolve, visa requirements are lifting, wherein those with Golden Visas (a 10-year visa) may sponsor their parents for a further extended time or choose to settle here permanently. As expats become less transient, it’s expected that the elderly population could increase. Tailored healthcare packages must be considered to suit the ageing demographic.

Within the GCC, legislation stipulates that all residents must have healthcare. Offering group insurance for employees, with an option to include coverage for their children or parents, means those who are more susceptible and vulnerable, can be better protected from flu outbreaks.

Why you should be getting your flu vaccine

The flu vaccine prepares the immune system to recognize, combat, and develop a memory for flu viruses, essentially boosting your antibodies and reducing the severity of the illness if infection occurs.

However, the antibody count in your immune system diminishes over time so to maintain effective protection, an annual flu shot is necessary.

It typically requires two weeks for your body to build immunity against the flu. Abu Dhabi Center for Public Health says "It is highly recommended to take the flu vaccine before winter, by September or October. The flu vaccine gives protection throughout the current flu season”. Medical insurance for employees in Dubai would ideally include the flu vaccine as part of corporate health insurance packages, especially since so many employees travel during that time period.

What to expect

The flu vaccine, like any vaccine or medication, can have side effects. However, it's important to note that the majority of people who receive the flu vaccine experience only mild symptoms or none at all.

Minor and short-lived side effects might occur after a flu vaccination, such as redness or discomfort at the injection site, a low-grade fever, and tolerable aches. However, these effects are considerably milder and end sooner in comparison to a severe influenza infection.

In the US, employee absenteeism was calculated at 6.04% in 2022, resulting in an average annual loss of $225.8 billion for businesses, with a noticeable spike observed during the cold and flu season.

Including a flu vaccine in health insurance for companies supports your employees by keeping them healthy, which in turn means they are not taking off excessive sick leave to fight severe symptoms.

The role an employer can play

Within the GCC, although highly recommended by the Ministry of Health, the flu vaccine is not offered as a complimentary service. When choosing health insurance for employees, a tailored insurance plan that allows the inclusion of additional benefits, such as a flu vaccine, optimizes employee productivity and retention by providing preventative healthcare measures through custom health insurance.

How GulfCare can help

GulfCare is a leading health insurance partner that delivers holistic group health insurance packages to meet the unique needs of businesses across the GCC. These group health insurance packages include features such as tele-health services and an employee assistance programme. In taking a holistic view of healthcare that considers both emergency care as well as preventative well-being measures, employees feel valued and therefore have the capacity to perform better, ultimately boosting company profitability.