"Professionally Vaccinated" is a new educational project aimed at a wide audience, organised by Employers of the Republic of Poland. The initiative fits perfectly with the idea of the ongoing European Vaccination Week.
The aim of the campaign is to rebuild confidence in the value of vaccination, improving vaccination rates among workers, including both medical workers and other professional groups. The project is directed at strengthening awareness and responsibility in the area of health challenges, not only among employers but also among employees; responsibility for themselves and those around them.
Vaccination carried out in the working adult population is an intervention that is not only cost-effective, but also has tangible cost-saving benefits for both employers and society as a whole. Studies and statistical analyses have shown that absenteeism among vaccinated workers was at least 2 times lower than among unvaccinated workers (Employers at risk, or how to effectively reduce the economic consequences of influenza, Institute of Health Education Halina Osinska Foundation, Warsaw 2014).
In cooperation with medical professionals, government administration, policy makers and employers, we want to speak out that vaccine prophylaxis makes sense. We also want, with the help of experts, to develop appropriate recommendations for legal solutions regarding the standards for recommended vaccination of employees - says Arkadiusz Pączka, Deputy Director General of the Employers of Poland.
The preparation and introduction of a vaccination programme for employees within the framework of the educational project "Professionally Vaccinated" will ensure the safety not only of health care workers and other professional groups, but also of patients and the employees' surroundings. It will contribute to a significant reduction in occupational absenteeism, avoid replacement costs, improve (maintain) productivity, avoid reorganisation costs at work and, above all, improve the satisfaction of the employees themselves. In addition, it will avoid additional medical and pharmaceutical costs, treatment or rehabilitation costs in the event of complications, reduce the risk of virus transmission to family members, avoid salary reductions during sick leave and, finally, improve the company's image by taking care of social and health conditions and offering additional benefits - including health benefits.
Ahead of us is the establishment of a Substantive Expert Council and the establishment of partnerships to develop vaccination standards for workers - adds Arkadiusz Pączka.
Action partners are MSD, Pfizer and Sanofi Pasteur.
(press release)