CDC says large employers can set up temporary vaccination sites

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance on Tuesday saying that employers with large spaces and workforces can set up temporary vaccination sites. 

The new guidance says that employers should consider establishing workplace vaccination programs if they have a “large number of workers on site with predictable schedules” and a “location with enough space to stand up a vaccination clinic while maintaining social distancing through the entire process, from screening to post-vaccination observation.” 

The guidance also includes recommendations as to who should get priority for vaccinations and how to build up workers’ trust in the shots.

Though the current vaccine supply is limited, the CDC said that preparing to set up vaccination sites at workplaces now could minimize logistical difficulties once the shots are more widely available.

“By providing information about COVID-19 vaccination and establishing supportive policies and practices, employers can help increase vaccine uptake among essential workers. Although COVID-19 vaccine supply is currently limited, it’s not too early to share clear, complete, and accurate messages, promote confidence in the decision to get vaccinated, and engage your employees in plans to address potential barriers to vaccination,” the CDC wrote.

The new guidance comes as the vaccination effort ramps up across the country. More than 110 million doses of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have already been administered. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, while Johnson & Johnson requires just one. 

President Biden has ordered states to allow all adults to be eligible to get a shot by May 1, and Alaska and Mississippi have already lifted their eligibility requirements.