With news of the impending vaccine, many employers and individuals alike are wondering when the vaccine will become widely available, if organizations will be permitted to require employees to get vaccinated, how and what to communicate to employees about the vaccine, and much more. In an effort to keep our clients informed, we have compiled the most relevant information into the following fact sheet. As details evolve over the coming weeks and months, Marsh & McLennan Agency will provide updated guidance as more information becomes available.
What We Know Now
While there are many different COVID-19 vaccines currently in development, two companies – Pfizer and Moderna – have already applied for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin administering their vaccines. More companies are expected to apply for authorization in the coming months. The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine, and it is expected to become available for vaccinations across the nation the week of December 21st. By the end of the year, the U.S is expected to have 40 million doses of the vaccine to deliver across the states.
According to a U.S. advisory panel, the first round of individuals to receive the vaccine are healthcare workers, long-term care residents, and first responders. It is ultimately up to each state to determine who is deemed a healthcare worker and first responder, so these groups may vary by state.
Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to Americans free of charge, according to the CDC. However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administrative fees for administering shots to individuals.
Vaccine Details
Here’s what we know about the market’s leading vaccines thus far:
- Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are two-shot doses, and a person must take two doses of the same vaccine to be effective. Individuals will need to keep track of which vaccine they received, when they are due for their second dose, and seek it out themselves.
- Pfizer’s vaccine must be given 21 days apart, while Moderna requires 28 days.
- Both vaccines must be stored at sub-zero temperatures, making transportation logistics a point of consideration. Pfizer’s vaccine must be kept extremely cold, at minus 70 degrees Celsius whereas Moderna’s vaccine needs to be kept at temperatures more similar to that of a normal freezer, at minus 20 degrees Celsius.
- Because of challenges surrounding both the temperature requirements of these vaccines, as well as the initial low availability, individuals will not necessarily be able to choose which vaccine they receive. This will depend upon the geography in which people reside; the Pfizer vaccine will be more widely available near large medical centers whereas the Moderna vaccine will be in more rural and suburban areas where access to an ultra-cold freezer is limited.
In addition to Pfizer and Moderna, Johnson & Johnson is currently working on a single-dose vaccine in an effort to simplify global distribution. Once the vaccines are widely available, everyone is encouraged to receive it, even those who previously had COVID-19. Per the CDC, it is possible to become re-infected with COVID-19 and the vaccine is the best protection against reinfection. There is not sufficient evidence at this point to show that the virus will not mutate and require an additional vaccine in the future, similar to the annual flu shot. The vaccine could trigger an immune response on some people that lasts longer than others. We should know more on this topic as time goes on.
Employer Considerations
With news of the vaccine front and center, many employers are considering how it plays into their strategies moving forward. As with any consideration, it’s important to keep in mind industry, size, state and local regulations, as well as what’s best for the business and employees long-term.
Top of mind is the question of whether an employer can mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for its employees. In general, the answer is yes, but employers will need to consider accommodations for employees with sincerely held religious beliefs that do not permit traditional medicine and employees with health or disability issues for whom vaccination is inadvisable. Employers should also pay attention to employee relations and morale, the availability of vaccines, and the overall impact to the business. A mask alternative may be given to those who return to the workplace, but choose not to receive the vaccine.
Regardless of stance on the vaccine, it is important that employers communicate with employees regarding vaccine updates, resources, and recommendations. Directing employees to the CDC for guidance is appropriate. Additionally, there are legal ramifications that an employer should consult their attorney about before putting any mandate in effect.
At this time, the federal government is purchasing all supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, so there is no option for employers to purchase a supply for its employees.
Looking Ahead
Based on the varying vaccine availability, there is no set timeline for when we can expect to “get back to normal.” However, Oliver Wyman best estimates that fourth quarter 2021 is the earliest we can get close to achieving normalcy and employers should plan for the remote and/or safety precautions-based work conditions until that point. Oliver Wyman describes that cumulative immunity is one of the keys in getting back to normal. This is defined as a sum of three groups: population that has already been infected and has protective immunity, population that is naturally immune to the infection, and the population that has been effectively vaccinated. Oliver Wyman modeling analysis shows that we may only need 50 percent of the population to be immune through cumulative immunity to start getting back to normal.
Our Commitment
Marsh & McLennan Agency is committed to providing up-to-date information for employers on the Coronavirus. To access resources at your fingertips visit our resource page. Click here to access our dedicated resource page.
Sources
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/02/covid-vaccine-pfizer-moderna-astrazeneca-what-to-know/6476436002/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-05/on-the-edge-of-a-key-covid-decision-five-questions-answered
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/17/935563377/why-does-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-need-to-be-kept-colder-than-antarctica
https://time.com/5917792/covid-19-vaccine-rollouts-begin/
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/03/can-employers-require-covid-vaccine.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
https://www.oliverwyman.com/our-expertise/insights/2020/nov/the-long-haul-to-normalcy.html?_lrsc=48294654-bdc8-4114-a6c1-ec0f0ae5bc4c
You May Also Be Interested In
- Event
01.26.2021
Webcast | COVID-19 Vaccine – What Employers Need to Know
- Event
02.04.2021
Webcast | Continued Road to the Vaccine: Clinical and Compliance Considerations for Employers
- Event
02.10.2021
Webcast | COVID-19 Sick Leave Laws in 2021 and Return to Work Considerations
- Blog
01.19.2021
Succession. It’s about business continuity, not simply who’s in charge.
- Blog
01.13.2021
Quick Answers to COVID-19 Vaccine Questions
- Blog
01.13.2021
How do you Keep Employees Engaged During the Pandemic?
- Blog
01.12.2021
COVID-19 Communications for Senior Housing Facilities
- Blog
12.29.2020
A Coronavirus Update for Employers
- Event
12.16.2020
Webcast | Road to the Vaccine
- Event
11.12.2020
Webcast | 2020 Election Results: The Impact to Benefit Plans
- Event
10.21.2020
Webinar | Telemedicine: Permanent Solution or Temporary Fix
- Blog
10.20.2020
Containing Health Care Costs While Trying to Contain the Coronavirus
- Blog
10.02.2020
Potential Employment-Related Claims Resulting from COVID-19
- Event
09.29.2020
Webinar | Ergonomics and the Stress of Working From Home
- Blog
09.24.2020
DOL Issues New FFCRA Leave Guidance
- Event
08.11.2020
Webinar | UMass Memorial Health Care: COVID-19 Response, Recover, Reimagine
- Blog
08.05.2020
Forum Launches "Tell Me How": COVID-19 Mental Health Videos & Resource Website
- Blog
07.22.2020
The Rise of State Individual Mandates - July 2020
- Event
07.21.2020
Webcast | Senior Care - The New Normal
- Event
06.25.2020
Webcast | Navigating the Cyber Liability as Organizations Return to the Workplace
- Event
06.25.2020
Webinar | Paycheck Protection Program- Q & A Town Hall
- Blog
06.19.2020
California Insurance Commissioner Issues Decision on Special Regulatory Filing
- Event
06.18.2020
Webcast | Navigating the D&O Market Through Unprecedented Times
- Blog
06.16.2020
COVID-19 Plan Administration Relief: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- Event
05.28.2020
Webcast | COVID-19 Update: Navigating the Coronavirus, Vaccines, Testing and Wellbeing
- Blog
05.26.2020
Workplace Wellness: Transform the Five Areas of Wellbeing
- Blog
05.21.2020
COVID-19 – One More Reason to Address Mental Health
- Event
05.19.2020
Webinar | Legal and Compliance Return to the Workplace: Considerations for Employers
- Blog
05.19.2020
WCIRB Recommendations Offer CA Employers Temporary Relief from Workers' Comp Claims Related to COVID-19
- Blog
05.18.2020
Q1/2020 Business Insurance Marketplace
- Event
05.14.2020
Webcast | Navigating the Coronavirus & Keeping Your Plans Compliant
- Blog
05.13.2020
NCCI Rule Excludes Payroll to Furloughed Workers from Workers’ Comp Premiums
- Blog
05.13.2020
Diversification: A COVID-19 Survival Tactic for Transportation Companies
- Blog
05.11.2020
IRS and DOL Extend Filing Deadlines Due to COVID-19
- Blog
05.05.2020
Return-to-Work FAQ
- Event
04.30.2020
Webcast | COVID-19: Managing the Impact- Weekly Update 4.30.20
- Blog
04.28.2020
Employee Mental Health: More Vulnerable Than Ever During the COVID-19 Crisis
- Blog
04.27.2020
COVID-19 Impact on Self-Funded, Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
- Blog
04.27.2020
Client Advisory: Dealing with increasing retail cyber risks during the COVID-19 crisis
- Blog
04.20.2020
Face Masks
- Blog
04.20.2020
IRS Extends Deadlines Due to COVID-19
- Event
04.16.2020
Webcast | COVID-19: Managing the Impact- Weekly Update 4.16.20
- Blog
04.10.2020
CARES Act Signed Into Law
- Event
04.09.2020
Webcast | COVID-19: Managing the Impact- Weekly Update 4.9.20
- Blog
04.09.2020
Client Alert Effective Immediately: Minnesota workers’ compensation bill to protect first responders and others is now law
- Blog
04.09.2020
COVID-19 Employee Resource Guide
- Blog
04.08.2020
COVID-19 Implications for EPA’s Enforcement
- Event
04.07.2020
WEBINAR | Ask the Experts: A Virtual Round-Table Discussion for Plan Sponsors
- Event
04.06.2020
WEBCAST | Cares Act Overview
- Event
04.02.2020
Webcast | Update on COVID-19: Navigating the Coronavirus and Managing the Impact
- Event
03.30.2020
WEBCAST | Employee Benefits & 401K Compliance During The Coronavirus Outbreak
- Blog
03.30.2020
CARES Act Provisions Expand Retirement Plan Access for Individuals Impacted by COVID-19
- Blog
03.27.2020
FFCRA Employee Rights Poster Notification Poster Available
- Event
03.26.2020
WEBCAST | COVID-19: Navigating Insurance Implications
- Blog
03.26.2020
Client Advisory: Private Company Directors and Officers, Employment Practices Concerns: COVID-19
- Event
03.25.2020
Webinar | The Investment Implications of COVID-19
- Blog
03.24.2020
MMA COVID-19 Coverage 2020
- Blog
03.24.2020
DOT Guidance on Drug & Alcohol Testing
- Blog
03.03.2020
Preparing your Business for Coronavirus: Access Resources Here