Vaccine Mandates Proliferate Across US Amid Full Approval of Pfizer Jab

Strategic Insights -

As the Pfizer Covid-19 jab received full regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Monday, vaccine mandates are quickly becoming the norm in the US. Major companies, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, are now requiring proof of vaccination from all staff and clients entering their offices, while several states and cities are implementing similar policies for frontline healthcare workers and public employees.

Goldman Sachs is requiring all staff and clients to show proof of vaccination from September 7, while JPMorgan Chase made vaccination a requirement for employees and clients in July. The company is also including fully vaccinated staff in its mandatory weekly Covid testing program, which currently applies to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated staff. The US banks were among the most aggressive in urging staff to return to the office, making working from the office at least part-time compulsory for most employees this summer.

Other companies, including Deloitte and CVS Health, are also introducing vaccine mandates. Deloitte will require proof of vaccination for staff accessing its US facilities from October 11, while CVS Health will require corporate staff and employees who interact with patients to be fully vaccinated by the end of October, and in-store pharmacists to be vaccinated by late November. The Service Trades Council Union, which represents Disney World "cast members", has also reached a deal that all employees should show proof of vaccination by October 22.

Key Takeaways:

  • Goldman Sachs is requiring proof of vaccination from all staff and clients entering its offices from September 7.
  • JPMorgan Chase made vaccination a requirement for employees and clients in July.
  • Deloitte will require proof of vaccination for staff accessing its US facilities from October 11.
  • CVS Health will require corporate staff and employees who interact with patients to be fully vaccinated by the end of October.
  • In-store pharmacists at CVS Health will be required to get vaccinated by late November.
  • The Service Trades Council Union, which represents Disney World "cast members", has reached a deal that all employees should show proof of vaccination by October 22.
  • Several US cities and states are planning to require frontline healthcare workers and other public employees to be vaccinated or face regular testing.
  • The American Medical Association is supporting vaccine mandates, saying "Now is the time for the public and private sectors to come together, listen to the science and mandate vaccination."
  • The US has averaged about 141,100 infections a day in the week ended August 23, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statistics:

  • 73% of Ohio State University's community has met the requirement of at least a first dose of a Covid vaccine by October 15.
  • The US has averaged about 141,100 infections a day in the week ended August 23, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • The seven-day average in mid-June was the lowest point for 2021, with about 12,600 infections per day.
  • The US has seen an increase of 1,110% in infections from the lowest point in mid-June to the current level.

Sources:

  • Goldman Sachs, "Goldman Sachs to Require Vaccinations for All Staff and Clients"
  • JPMorgan Chase, "JPMorgan Chase Announces Vaccine Requirement for Employees and Clients"
  • Deloitte, "Deloitte to Require Proof of Vaccination for US Staff"
  • CVS Health, "CVS Health to Require Vaccination for Corporate Staff and Employees Who Interact with Patients"
  • The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, "New Poll Finds Public Supports Vaccine Requirements for Teachers and Eligible Students"
  • Food and Drug Administration, "FDA Approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "COVID Data Tracker"