U.S. employers have used information campaigns, extra money and other persuasions to urge their workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, a growing number are requiring employees to get vaccinated or accept repeated testing. The federal government, states of California and New York and technology companies Google and Facebook are all demanding vaccinations. Some hospitals, universities, restaurants and entertainment places have also started requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. But the new measures are unlikely to affect many of the millions of unvaccinated Americans. Many of the companies requiring shots have mostly office workers who are already largely vaccinated and are not willing to work with those who are not. Some major companies are avoiding vaccination requirements. Food manufacturers and supermarkets, for example, depend on workers who do not earn a lot of money. They are concerned that requirements might drive away employees and worsen labor shortages. For example, Tyson Foods said about half of its 56,000 employees in the U.S. have received shots after the company held more than 100 vaccination events since February. But the company said it has no plans to require the others to get vaccinated. Walmart and Amazon are also not requiring their workers who are paid by the hour to get vaccinated. However, Walmart said employees at its headquarters will be required to get vaccinated by October 4. The federal government is the largest employer in the United States. President Joe Biden announced last week that all federal workers must get vaccinated or they face weekly tests and official travel bans. The federal government has said it will pay for the costs of the weekly tests. For other employers, insurance companies might pay for testing at some workplaces but not others.
