Vaccine
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0264410X/32
Volume 32, Issue 21, Pages 2389-2520 (1 May 2014)

Universal paid leave increases influenza vaccinations among employees in the U.S.
Original Research Article
Pages 2441-2445
Fernando A. Wilson, Yang Wang, Jim P. Stimpson
Abstract
Objectives
We predict the impact of paid leave in increasing influenza vaccinations for employees, thus decreasing workdays lost and healthcare visits resulting from infection.
Methods
Nationally representative data from the 2006–2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were used. We examined working adults aged 18 and above (N = 51,471). Logistic regression measured the association of paid leave with flu vaccination. We predicted the impact on labor and healthcare markets if universal paid leave were provided.
Results
The proportion of workers receiving vaccination annually was higher for those with paid leave versus without paid leave (34.0% vs. 21.0%, P < 0.001). Adjusted odds of having a vaccination increased with paid leave vs. without paid leave (OR = 1.42, CI: 1.31–1.53). Universal paid leave is predicted to increase vaccinations by 1.6 million, resulting in 63.8 thousand fewer absences from work and 18.2 thousand fewer healthcare visits for the flu annually.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that employees without paid leave are significantly less likely to have had a flu vaccination. Expanding paid leave could substantially increase flu vaccination, resulting in fewer workdays lost to influenza and savings in healthcare costs.