Outbreak: Measles in the Workplace

Hillsborough Identified as a ‘measles prone’ area

What if educating your employees could halt the outbreak of an infectious disease? Would you share vaccination information to help not only your workforce but the greater good? In an age where inoculating has become merely optional for some people and travelers visit countries with measles outbreaks and bring the germs back across our borders, diseases that were all but eradicated in the United States due to vaccination protocols are attempting an American comeback. Hillsborough County has been pinpointed as one of 25 counties prone to a measles outbreak.*

This is a potential health emergency. In 2000, measles was all but eradicated in the United States. Come 2019, we now have the highest incidence of cases in our nation since 1994; more than 830 have been identified this year so far. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications or death. The good news? The disease is hugely preventable. Here’s how to fight back.

  • Inform employees of their healthcare benefits – Vaccines fall under the umbrella of preventive services. That means they are covered at 100% through insurance, with no out of pocket costs associated to the employee or dependents if they go to a participating provider or pharmacy. There is an obvious reason for this. Vaccines are so important to society at large that it is dangerous for all individuals to not receive them. For more information about preventive services covered through insurance, visit: https://bit.ly/1OxO6qw
  • Take this opportunity to open up a wider discussion about healthcare – Flu shots and many other vaccines are covered as well. As any employer knows, working in close quarters with others means that germs are transmitted easily. The flu shot in particular does not offer full immunity to all strains of influenza, but it at least lessons a person’s chance of contracting the strain included in that year’s vaccine. Flu shots will be available in September.

Remember to remind employees that the costs for some health services may change if they choose to visit a physician or facility that is out of network. And for more information and guidance regarding vaccination and other health and wellness questions, contact Trish Blocker, CWWS, at tblocker@w3ins.com.  

*To view a list of the 25 counties identified as measles-prone by researchers, visit: https://wb.md/2Q8hvOm.