GM in talks with health leaders on vaccine distribution
General Motors is preparing for the COVID-19 vaccines that it will likely unveil to workers this month.
GM has been talking with local health department and government leaders to coordinate who will be leading and conducting vaccine distribution, GM spokesman David Caldwell said Monday.
GM plans to share information on vaccine distribution to its employees in the next few weeks, Caldwell said.
“Throughout the pandemic GM has communicated health and safety guidance to employees – including a series of videos and Q&As on topics like masks, workplace safety protocols, flu shot processes and more,” Caldwell said. “That will continue in the coming weeks, including our plan for employees and vaccines.”
GM is taking questions from workers on an ongoing basis and answering them through its internal communications venues, he said.
But GM has not yet bought any freezers or other equipment to house any vaccines.
“At this point, we’re not purchasing special equipment,” Caldwell said. “At least not until we know the type of vaccine likely to be distributed in certain areas, as not all vaccines require special equipment.”
But GM is analyzing its capacity for storage if it is required to store the medicine, he said.
Last week, Ford Motor Co. said it had ordered a dozen ultra-cold freezers to store vaccines globally when they become available. The shot would be offered only to employees, but the plan was still fluid, the company said.
GM is cautious about its vaccine plan because most of its employees won’t be first in line to get it.
“It’s important to keep in mind that essential workers and others with specific types of health conditions or elderly will likely be first in line when government health departments establish distribution plans,” Caldwell said. “GM employees are not considered essential workers, according to current criteria.”
While it’s still being decided whether GM will incentivize workers to get a vaccine, GM will educate the workforce about it and “definitely encourage” its employees to get one when available, he said.
“Those conversations are underway,” Caldwell said. “We’re preparing those things internally for when the time is right as to here’s how to take it and we’ll educate employees on who should get it.”