Covid-19: Vaccination Issues For Employers

The government's Covid-19 vaccination programme is being watched with intense interest.  This much-touted key to the end of lockdown is also generating lots of queries about whether employers can require employees to be vaccinated, and what they will be able to do if people refuse.

Given that we've had quite a few queries about employees refusing tests, it's probable that some will also refuse the vaccine.

The vaccination is being rolled out in stages. It was recently announced that from around mid-April those in the 40 to 49 year age bracket will be invited to have the vaccine.  It will then be offered to those aged 30 to 39, and finally to those aged 18 to 29.  It's currently anticipated that people falling within these age groups will be vaccinated by the end of July.  What this does mean is that it's currently not realistic to expect the majority of staff to have been offered the vaccine until the late summer.