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Business leaders have plenty of reasons to fear the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu results in an annual economic burden of more than $87 billion in the U.S. In total, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that employees in the U.S. miss 17 million workdays every year because of the flu.

Fortunately, there are steps businesses can take to protect their employees from the flu. Here are five helpful tips from Jocelyn Konrad, R.Ph., Rite Aid's executive vice president of pharmacy.

Immunize your workforce. Getting a flu shot is a high-value, relatively low-cost intervention with multiple benefits: It can reduce both absenteeism and health care expenditures. Ultimately, a vaccinated workforce may mean healthier, more productive employees.

Offerings like Rite Aid's Workplace Flu Shot Program are making it easier than ever for companies to provide immunization opportunities to their employees. Through Rite Aid's program, businesses can schedule an onsite flu clinic with certified immunizing pharmacists who administer vaccines to their employees. Businesses also have the option of providing their employees with flu shot vouchers that can be redeemed at any Rite Aid pharmacy with no appointment necessary.

According to the CDC, while the exact timing and duration of flu seasons vary each year, flu activity often begins to increase in October. It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to reach peak effectiveness in the body, so getting immunized before the first flu outbreak can make a big difference in protecting your workforce.

For more information, call (855) 882-5948 or visit riteaid.com/shieldmyworkforce.

Encourage workers to get their families vaccinated too. It's simple: When more people in a household get immunized, there's a greater likelihood that the household will stay "flu free." Many insurance plans offer immunizations at no cost to the patient and covered family members, and businesses that don't offer this benefit through employer-sponsored plans might want to consider doing so. Failure to do so could be costly, especially in terms of the flu. According to the CDC Foundation, "Tens of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands die from flu-related illnesses each year in the United States." Bottom line? Konrad agrees with the CDC recommendation that "everyone over the age of 6 months should get a flu shot."

Stress the importance of flu season etiquette. Konrad has two top tips when it comes to flu season etiquette: Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, and wash your hands frequently.

The flu is primarily spread when those who are infected cough, sneeze, or even talk in the vicinity of others. The flu can also be contracted by touching an object – say, a doorknob – that contains the flu virus and then touching your own nose or mouth. So by following these tips, we can work together to minimize the spread of the flu and protect others in our community.

Additionally, Konrad says, those who get the flu should be encouraged to stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever has broken. This lessens the likelihood the employee will pass along the flu to his or her coworkers.

Disregard flu shot myths. One of the most common flu shot myths is that the vaccine does not work because it's still possible to get the flu even if you're vaccinated. However, the symptoms of those who are vaccinated are often less severe than those who are not, Konrad says.

Another common myth is that the vaccine causes the flu. According to Konrad, while possible side effects include flu-like symptoms that are typically less severe than the flu, in most cases these people had already been exposed to the flu virus prior to receiving the vaccine, which again takes about two weeks to build up to its maximum level of protection.

This scenario occurs more frequently among those who wait until later in the flu season to get vaccinated, which is why it's a good idea to get immunized as soon as possible once flu shots become available.

Be smart – do healthy things. Konrad says you can help your immune system stay strong by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and getting plenty of rest

Beyond offering helpful tips, Konrad said Rite Aid is as committed as ever to helping their local communities stay flu free this year, especially after last year's severe flu season.

"I think it's important for our communities to know that their local Rite Aid offers health services – like flu shots – that go far beyond simply filling prescriptions," Konrad says. "Our pharmacists are available to talk with patients and offer helpful advice to those who have questions. In addition to offering convenient services like flu shots, we're here to be your convenient and trusted pharmacy advisor."