COVID-19 inoculations will finally be widely available in 2021 — but not everybody will want one.
According to a Dec. 3 survey from the Pew Research Center, 60% of Americans said they would get a COVID-19 vaccine. That number has swung from 72% in May to just 51% in September. A recent Associated Press poll found that about half said they were ready, and a Gallup survey found 63% willing to get a vaccine following a go-ahead from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
But more than two in 10 people in the December Pew survey said they're "pretty certain" they will refuse the shots. Whether employers take it upon themselves to require or provide vaccines, the conversation around the rollout is something they should be aware of, attorneys say.
"In many cases it might not be a big deal if an employee expresses concern about vaccinations," said Dan Prywes. "The best course of action might be to simply tell the employee, 'Look, we are supporting vaccination, and that's the company's position,'" he said. Companies have a "very legitimate interest in trying to encourage people to take precautions," he added.
Read the full article here as Dan and many other attorneys provide five tips for employers worried about contentious vaccine debates flaring up in the workplace. Law360 subscription is required.
