THE NEXT COVID CHALLENGE?

Our panel of economists and executives considers if employers should require workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

ECONOMISTS NO

It could be ill-advised for companies to require employees to accept a rushed-to-the-public vaccine of unproven effectiveness, safeness, or long-term outcome potentially causing other unknown health issues. This is not what proponents of quarantines call for in those infected with a disease, instead they call for remaining isolated until they no longer are able to infect others. Demanding those not infected to undergo a medical procedure minimizing their chance of becoming infected is intrusive and potentially dangerous.

NO

There is currently too much uncertainty surrounding the vaccine. It is being pushed out rapidly with shortcuts being taken in terms of testing. There is already a large portion of the population that is wary of other vaccinations that have a far longer history of efficacy. If it proves to be effective over time, then businesses can move to requiring workers to take the vaccine. Requiring it too soon risks alienating workers and casting doubt on the effectiveness of future vaccines.

YES

I think that it is not much to ask of all of us to take a vaccine. I would first want assurances that it is safe (not rushed and not fully tested for political expediency). Employers require lots of things: wear shoes to work, wash your hands, don’t carry a firearm, etc. To ask for a mask and a vaccine fit along those lines. An alternative approach would be to require non-compliant employees to attend an education program which teaches the costs and benefits of vaccination.

YES

If scientists develop a safe and effective vaccine, companies should generally require vaccination to protect the health of their workers and their customers. Firms could allow an opt-out for employees to work remotely where feasible. Hospitals, schools, senior-living facilities, meatpacking plants, and many other highcontact organizations should make vaccination a work condition. All 50 states require schoolchildren to be vaccinated against polio and other diseases. Safeguarding our workplaces against COVID-19 is not too much to ask.

EXECUTIVES NO

It’s a slippery slope for employers to require certain vaccines like COVID-19 for their employees as a condition of employment. This is especially true in this unprecedented situation when the vaccine is being rushed and it hasn’t been thoroughly tested over a long period of time. Employers could lose valuable employees or be unable to recruit talent who choose not to take the vaccination at this time. There also could be legal, ethical, and liability ramifications for the employer. Like the flu shot, it should be voluntary and not mandated by an employer.

YES

Assuming employers cover the cost (or the cost is extremely low), the vaccine is readily available, and has been adequately tested, company mandates would indeed speed adoption. Vaccines only work if a significant percentage of the population is effectively immunized.

NO

There will be concern about the speed with which this vaccine is coming to market and the fact that this is not smallpox. Perhaps some hospitals or meatpacking plants will mandate the vaccine for those returning to work. China and Russia are oligarchies that will more likely mandate it. Very few companies in the United States will take the risk of a mandate though some may require it for those returning to their corporate offices.

NO

I think this is a public health responsibility — not a corporate responsibility. Vaccines shouldn’t be mandatory until research indicates their effectiveness and that they’ll create herd immunity. Corporations should act responsibly by requiring employees and customers to wear masks, physically distance, avoid groups and wash their hands until herd immunity from a combination of vaccinations and immunity from the virus is confirmed. And we still won’t know for some time how long immunity from a vaccine or infection will last.

David Ely

San Diego State University

NO

James Hamilton

UC San Diego

NO

Norm Miller

University of San Diego

YES

Ray Major

SANDAG

YES

Phil Blair

Manpower

Not participating this week

Reginald Jones

Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation Not participating this week

NATACHA PISARENKO AP Many medical experts say a vaccine will be available by the end of this year or early next year. This might present a challenge for some employers. Journalists and legal experts are already questioning what will happen if some employees don’t want to take the vaccine. In a recent USA Today article, several experts say the vaccine should be legally required but others say forcing employees to take it might create a pushback. Providing financial solutions for investors

Kelly Cunningham San Diego Institute for Economic Research

Bob Rauch R.A. Rauch & Associates

Lynn Reaser Point Loma Nazarene University

Gary London London Moeder Advisors

Alan Gin University of San Diego

Austin Neudecker Weave Growth

Chris Van Gorder Scripps Health

Jamie Moraga Intellisolutions