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ARTICLE · 23 DECEMBER 2020

COVID-19 Vaccines: An Employer Primer

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The approval of a COVID-19 vaccine by Health Canada may mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic, and the prospect of a return to more normal life.

CanadaEmployment and HR
Shane Todd
Shane Todd
Marc Rodrigue
Marc Rodrigue
Justin P’Ng
Justin P’Ng
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The approval of a COVID-19 vaccine by Health Canada may mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic, and the prospect of a return to more normal life. It has also raised a number of questions for employers about mandatory or incentivized vaccination, and differential treatment of employees based on vaccination status.

What We Know and Don't Know

Here is what we know so far:

  • The Government of Canada has entered into advance purchase agreements for enough doses to vaccinate all Canadians.1
  • There is currently no legal requirement for a person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • A limited number of doses arrived in Canada this week and voluntary vaccination, prioritizing high risk populations, has begun.

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