Free Vaccinations at Work

by mapgirl on November 6, 2008

Apparently my new company (which is not so new to me anymore since it’s been 10 months now) offers flu shots for free every year. This is awesome because I had to pay $20-25 at my old company, but at least it was on-site during the work day.

My new company also offers a tetanus booster shot with diptheria vaccine as well. Also for free. Since I cannot remember the last time I had a tetanus shot, I went ahead and got that done as well. Now my arms are really sore and I look really dumb doing the chicken dance at the office, i.e. sticking out my elbows and flapping them like a bird to mitigate the soreness.
But I’m good for the tetanus booster for the next 10 years. SWEET.

I love free healthcare!

So is it really common now for places to offer a flu shot on-site or do folks still go to their doctor?

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

frank November 6, 2008 at 10:39 am

Sore Arm here as well from the free flu shot.

BD November 6, 2008 at 11:37 am

Not only have I never had an on-site flu shot offered to me (free OR paid), I’ve had a heck of a time getting health insurance to reimburse the $25 it costs to get one at the local Walgreens. Last year I got the flu, and it cost my insurance over $500 in doctors visits and prescriptions. Why the heck don’t they cover the $25 vaccine??

Ted November 6, 2008 at 12:52 pm

What in the world makes you think that was free? The company paid for it, and the money they spent on it isn’t available for other purposes, like bonuses, raises, dividends, equipment upgrades…

bethh November 6, 2008 at 2:43 pm

My workplace offered free (-ish, per Ted’s comment) shots, but I skipped. I’m not a believer, since I’ve never had the flu and am not exposed to carriers like kids. This year will be the year I get the flu.. just watch!

Johanna B November 6, 2008 at 2:45 pm

My company offers free (to us) flu shots every year. Of course, I work for a hospital. We have 3500 + employees so that is a big hunk of change for them.

I also got a tetanus shot when I started working for them but I’m due for another one. I wonder if they will give it to me now that I’m an old timer?

H November 6, 2008 at 8:59 pm

My company offers free flu shots and I got mine a couple of days ago.

mapgirl November 7, 2008 at 9:12 am

Hey Ted!

I am billable at over $150/hr depending on the client. It’s cheap for my company to spend $25 on me for a flu shot if it keeps me able to work. They lose a lot of money if I’m too sick to work from the flu. (And I’m lucky to be a knowledge worker so I can work from home if I’m not delirious from a fever.)

Also, I work with a lot of parents, so I’m super sensitive about getting a cold from one of them when their disease-infested vermin, er, I mean, kids, are sick.

karen November 7, 2008 at 1:37 pm

My company offers it onsite (and was inquiring about interest at our other locations) for $20. But I never get the shot.

jill November 7, 2008 at 7:10 pm

My workplace is pretty good with these things. We get one day of free massages each month, free checkups and other perks during health week etc. We got a free flu vac this winter which was great until I got the cold three times after the vac when I never used to get a cold!

over the cubicle wall November 8, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Free flu shots at my company as well. Also free bloodwork (cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, etc).

Laura November 10, 2008 at 1:17 pm

I work in NYC, and this was the first time they offered free flu shots and we had it on site. How convenient! :)

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