EEOC Issues Guidance On COVID-19 Vaccination

With the approval of COVID-19 vaccinations under Emergency Use Authorization, employers should review their policies and procedures to be ready when the vaccine is readily available to the general public.  Recently, the EEOC issued additional COVID-19 guidance covering COVID-19 vaccinations.  The EEOC's guidance details mandatory vaccination policies and accommodation requests, and employer administered vaccines.

The big question many employers (and their employees) have already been asking is, "Can an employer require its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19?".  According to the EEOC, the answer is yes, but with some important caveats and exceptions.  Generally, employers may require that employees be vaccinated once the vaccines are widely available and may require proof of vaccination.  However, vaccination policies must permit accommodations for disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), the