Related Topics

Live Chat
Planning to reduce absenteeism in a Pandemic

 

Business Continuity Planning for the response to a Pandemic requires a different mind set to that of a ‘conventional’ seasonal flu disruption.

We cannot be sure at what time of the year it will occur, it’s impossible to forecast its characteristics and because people have virtually no resistance to the new strain it can readily transmit between people.

However given that the current H1N1 strain pandemic has already arrived and we have significant knowledge about its characteristics and capacity to transmit from human to human, should organisations not be in a better position to plan?

More information

    

Overview of the protection options offered by antiviral medication, including  comments and recommendations

 

Essentially there are three different methods for taking antivirals to mitigate the effects of pandemic influenza. This report has been prepared by Dr. K G Dawson, Senor Medical Officer at Influenza Protection Limited.

More information

 

Businesses

Business Continuity – Protecting your business

Business continuity planning is important for all businesses – the ability to survive an unforeseen disaster can be the difference between success and business failure.

Whereas most business continuity planning looks at events that are unlikely to happen, it is becoming clear that most if not all businesses in the UK will be affected by a flu pandemic in the coming months.

New cases of swine flu are being reported daily and the government now expects new cases to exceed 100,000 per day before the end of the summer. As autumn and winter arrive, the number of cases will increase dramatically, with latest forecasts suggesting that up to 50% of the population will suffer from swine flu this winter.

The impact on businesses will be significant. While the NHS has stocks of anti-viral medication, the sheer number of new cases daily will place an enormous burden on services, with the likely outcome that many people will remain untreated and off work for an extended period of time.

What can I do to protect my business?

In addition to effective hand and respiratory hygiene, anti-viral medication is the most effective treatment currently available. By giving your employees the opportunity to purchase anti-viral medication to take in the event of a pandemic, you are greatly reducing the impact that staff shortages due to sickness will have on your business.

The anti-viral medication that we prescribe has been licensed for over 10 years and to date over 40 million courses have been prescribed worldwide. This medication has an excellent safety record and a very low side effect profile. The anti-viral medication is a Prescription Only Medication (POM), so each employee will need to complete an on-line medical questionnaire which is reviewed by our UK based doctors. In 99% of cases the prescription is approved and will be despatched to your employee.

What does it cost?

CapsulesA single treatment course of anti-viral medication, which covers 5 days and is taken if the patient starts to exhibit symptoms of swine flu, costs £45.94 inc VAT plus p+p.

This compares favourably to the cost of lost business from an employee being off ill due to swine flu.

 

CapsulesAlternatively, an enhanced level of protection is available in the form of two 10 day preventative courses, to be taken if your employee comes into contact with the swine flu virus. 

Research has shown that this medical approach is likely to offer the additional benefit of a substantial level of immunity from further infection. In addition they will receive a further single treatment course should symptoms exhibit later. This enhanced protection costs just £110.25 plus p+p.

 

What to do next?

The programme from Influenza Protection is available only to businesses and their employees. To access the on-line consultation and order anti viral medication, your business will require a unique reference code to be used by all your employees. By clicking on the “register” button below you can register your business.

To complete the registration process, we are required to obtain a letter from you on your headed letter head confirming that applications are being made by a company or on behalf of their employees. This is to help the health authorities limit the amount of anti viral medication in the general population. A sample letter is available to download and to copy / paste onto your letter head. This can be emailed back to us with your details. We will then send you a unique reference number for use by all of your employees to access the on-line screening and medication ordering process.

Each application will require payment by credit or debit card. A full receipt will be sent to the applicant, so that those businesses that wish to provide this protection for their employees may do so via normal business expenses.

Business Schemes for more than 500 employees

We currently run many large company schemes for businesses with more than 500 employees. If you would like us to contact you to consider a bespoke programme for your business, please contact us at admin@influenzaprotection.co.uk

Hygiene Products from Influenza Protection

You can help stop the spread of the flu virus by providing your employees with anti-viral surface wipes and hand cleansers. Influenza Protection has a range of products available for purchase on-line. Go to our on-line shop.