Philippine companies urged to strengthen workplace vaccination as flu season raises disruption risks

Philippine companies are being urged to step up workplace vaccination programmes as the flu season and typhoon-related weather conditions increase the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and workplace disruptions.

Health economist Dr. John Paul Caesar R. delos Trinos, an adjunct faculty member at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Public Health, said vaccination can help protect employees while reducing absenteeism, healthcare costs and productivity losses.

“Employees are the backbone of businesses and a key driver of our economy,” delos Trinos said in a statement released by biopharmaceutical company Sanofi on Wednesday.

“With 53.25 million Filipinos in the labor force, timely vaccination is a cost-effective strategy to protect their well-being while minimizing workplace disruptions,” he added.

The call comes as influenza-like illnesses (ILI) continue to be recorded across the Philippines. Data from the Department of Health showed 72,735 ILI cases between January 4 and August 1, although this was 23% lower than the 94,399 cases reported during the same period last year.

Recent figures, however, point to a modest increase. The country recorded 4,466 ILI cases between July 5 and 18, up 1% from the 4,442 cases reported in the previous two-week period.

Delos Trinos highlighted the economic case for prevention, citing studies that found benefit-cost ratios of 4.20 and 4.35 for influenza vaccination programmes. This means employers could generate more than P4 in avoided healthcare costs and productivity gains for every peso invested in vaccination.

“Flu isn’t just a simple cold, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly,” he said, noting that some employees face a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalisation, particularly older adults and people with chronic conditions.

He said companies should therefore build a culture of prevention rather than rely primarily on reactive healthcare measures after employees become sick.

Influenza can spread through coughing and sneezing, exposing employees in offices, during commutes and in other enclosed environments. Frequent changes in weather conditions can also create opportunities for exposure and transmission.

For employers, the impact can extend beyond individual illness. A single sick employee can contribute to increased sick leave, lower productivity, staffing shortages and operational delays, particularly when infections spread across teams.

Delos Trinos called for closer coordination between employers, healthcare providers and public health institutions to make preventive measures more accessible to workers.

HR teams and company physicians, he said, can help employees make informed vaccination decisions by providing timely information and clear guidance. Health maintenance organisations can also expand access by including vaccination in existing employee health programmes and benefits.

Government agencies and policymakers, meanwhile, can support workplace vaccination by strengthening relevant policies and guidelines.

The push comes as businesses increasingly look at employee health not only as a wellbeing issue but also as an operational resilience priority. Expanding access to preventive healthcare, including vaccination, could help companies limit avoidable workforce disruptions during periods of heightened health and weather-related risks.