When you think of the flu, you usually think of cold, winter weather.  However, here in Western Pennsylvania more than 300 cases of the swine flu have been confirmed so far this year.  As well as recent reports of a 27 year old man passing away from complications from the swine flu.  Scary statistics as we head full force into flu season.

So, how are we preparing to protect ourselves?  According to Anita Campbell’s most recent American Express OPEN Form article, the first step should be encouraging your employees to receive the recently FDA approved swine flu vaccine.

Encourage your employees to get regular flu shots and H1N1 flu shots as soon as they become available.  Since symptoms of regular flu may be hard to tell apart from mild cases of H1N1, get both kinds of flu shots. If your company-provided health insurance doesn’t cover the cost, then I recommend that you reimburse employees for the flu shots.  Give employees time off from work during the day to get flu shots at a local flu-shot clinic or pharmacy.  The cost of prevention will be minimal compared to the cost of dealing with an outbreak in your business.

In addition to the H1N1 vaccine, there are some other simple steps you and your employees can take to decrease the chances of obtaining and spreading the swine flu.  You can read all of Anita’s 7 easy to implement swine flu tips at the Amex OPEN Forum.  Are you and your business prepared to fight the swine flu head on?