Every year, influenza costs New Zealand businesses millions of dollars in lost productivity, sick leave and staff disruption.
With the flu season typically peaking between June and September, now is the time to put a plan in place to protect your people and keep your business running.
The single most effective step you can take? Offering flu vaccinations to your workforce. Here’s what you need to know for 2026.
Why flu season is a business issue
Influenza is not just an inconvenience. For businesses, the impact is measurable:
- The average flu episode results in 3–5 days of absence per affected employee.
- ‘Presenteeism’ - coming to work while unwell - reduces productivity and increases the risk of spreading illness to colleagues.
- Customer-facing businesses risk reputational impact when teams are visibly short-staffed or unwell.
- Vulnerable employees (including those with underlying health conditions, pregnant workers and older workers) face greater health risks from influenza.
Why workplace flu vaccinations work
Workplace flu vaccination programmes are one of the most cost-effective occupational health investments a business can make. When uptake is high across a team, herd immunity reduces transmission - meaning even employees who cannot receive the vaccine are better protected.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced absenteeism: studies consistently show lower sick leave rates in vaccinated workforces.
- Improved staff morale: employees feel valued when their employer invests in their health
- Convenience drives uptake: removing the barriers of time and cost that prevent many people from vaccinating.
- Demonstrated duty of care: particularly important in healthcare, aged care, education and other high-risk sectors
- Community protection: vaccinating your workforce helps protect whānau and the wider community your employees return home to
