Employers Rush to Mandate Vaccines After FDA Approval

Strategic Insights -

As the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, employers are swiftly moving to require workers to get vaccinated, citing the need to protect employees, customers, and the wider community.

The FDA's decision, made public on Monday, has removed a key objection to vaccine mandates, with many employers seeing it as a green light to implement such requirements. The shift is being driven by the highly contagious delta variant, which has sent COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths soaring in the US.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 9% of employers have already mandated vaccines for at least some workers, according to a survey by Littler Mendelson, and an additional 12% are planning to impose some sort of mandate in the near future.
  • The survey found that the number of employers requiring vaccines has grown significantly since January, when only 1% of firms had issued vaccine requirements.
  • Employers are particularly concerned about the spread of the delta variant, with daily vaccination rates having climbed to about 850,000 amid growing alarm over the outbreak.
  • Companies such as Walt Disney World, CVS, and Chevron have announced plans to require certain workers to get vaccinated, while others like Walmart and Amazon have thus far opted not to impose such mandates.
  • The nation's two largest private employers, Walmart and Amazon, have maintained their previous policies regarding vaccines, with no change to their requirements for employees.

Statistics:

  • 9% of employers are already mandating vaccines for at least some workers, according to a survey by Littler Mendelson.
  • An additional 12% of employers are planning to impose some sort of vaccine mandate in the near future.
  • The number of daily vaccinations has climbed to about 850,000, up from a low of 500,000 in July.
  • The delta variant has sent COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths soaring in the US, with many areas experiencing a significant surge in cases.

Sources:

  • Associated Press: "Employers push for vaccination as US government clears Pfizer's COVID-19 shot"
  • Littler Mendelson: "Vaccine Mandates on the Rise: Employers Feel Pressure to Protect Workers and Customers"
  • Ladders Inc.: "The 50-Fold Increase: Jobs Requiring Vaccination Requirements Soared this Summer"