Cigna, CVS among first companies to require shots
CVS Health Corp. and Cigna Corp. have become the first of what are expected to be numerous companies requiring workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as public officials grapple with a rising number of cases brought on by the delta variant among those who balk at getting a shot.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday gave full approval to the first COVID-19 vaccine, the Pfizer-biontech COVID-19. Other businesses will likely follow with their own mandates.
CVS, the Woonsocket, R.I., pharmacy giant and parent of Aetna, said that as of Monday, it required employees who interact with patients to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 31. All corporate staff will be required to be fully vaccinated no later than Oct. 31.
New hires in the same jobs as of Sept. 15 must have received their first COVID-19 vaccine before their first day of employment.
“While the vast majority of our employees have chosen to be vaccinated, this decision is in direct response to the dramatic rise in cases among the unvaccinated,”
Chief Executive Officer Karen Lynch said.
Patient-facing roles that will require proof of vaccination include nurses, care managers and pharmacists. Pharmacists in retail stores will have until Nov. 30 to be fully vaccinated.
Other jobs at CVS Health are under review and may be added based on updated data and public health guidance.
Cigna, the Bloomfield health insurer, last week cited the rising number of cases due to the delta variant when it announced its vaccine requirement. Employees who work remotely must be fully vaccinated before entering any U.S. worksite, beginning Sept. 7.
Employees whose work can only be performed onsite, such as medical care providers, pharmacists, pharmacy home delivery specialists and others must be fully vaccinated or receive two negative COVID-19 tests a week, beginning Oct. 18, before entering a worksite.
“It’s clear we need to do more to stop the ongoing spread of COVID-19, and unlike many aspects of the pandemic, keeping our worksites as safe as possible is something we can control,” said Steve Miller, chief clinical officer at Cigna.
Joe Budd, a spokesman for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, said Tuesday the business group can confirm that Cigna and CVS are so far the only companies to mandate vaccinations.
“We expect more will follow that lead in the weeks to come given Monday’s FDA announcement,” he said.
Stanley Black & Decker Inc. said it encourages, but does not require, workers to be vaccinated. The New Britain tool and equipment storage manufacturer said it partners with Health Action and Alliance and the Ad Council to support educational campaigns and that its chief medical officer speaks regularly with employees at company-wide Zoom meetings.
Stanley Black & Decker also has had more than 30 on-site or nearby events to provide vaccines and several thousand have received it through the company’s clinics, said Debora Raymond, vice president of public relations.