Updated
February 25, 2021
Who Needs to Know
All employers.
Why It Matters
Businesses should begin to address these issues now so that when COVID-19 vaccines are ready for widespread public distribution, they will be too.
On December 11, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it would be issuing emergency use authorizations for two COVID-19 vaccines, and shortly thereafter, the first vaccinations were administered on December 14. While initial doses of the vaccine have been allocated to health care workers and long-term care residents, all businesses should prepare for broader availability of the vaccine in early 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic and new vaccines present unique circumstances in which employers must balance employee rights with the overall safety and health of its workforce, customers, or clients when developing a vaccine strategy. This FAQ is intended to help employers across all industries understand the legal framework that regulates mandatory and voluntary employer vaccination programs.
We have only started to scratch the surface of the myriad questions that employers will face about a new COVID-19 vaccine. The Troutman Pepper Vaccine Task Force will maintain our COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions site to help our clients as they think through these issues. If you have questions specific to your business or COVID-19 vaccination policies, please feel free to contact us or visit the Troutman Pepper COVID-19 Resource Center.
This information is based on available guidance, as of February 25, 2021.
Access the questions and answers to these 8 topics:
1. General Questions
2. Emergency Use Authorizations
3. Employer Vaccine Mandates and Incentives
4. Exemptions and Accommodations
5. Vaccine Program Design
6. Liability Questions
7. Health Care
8. Education
This blog was written by Troutman Pepper, which authors our Georgia Human Resources Manual. You can find the original on their Insights blog.