Statement on OSHA and CMS COVID Vaccine Mandates for Employers and Employees

The Infectious Diseases Society of America supports COVID-19 vaccine mandates announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for large private employers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for employees at Medicare and Medicaid-participating health care facilities. Today’s announcements provide these businesses and facilities with clarity on compliance.

Too many people have already died or suffered serious illness. Increasing vaccination will help us end this pandemic, and these mandates are an essential tool in the fight to control the spread of COVID-19.

These mandates build on other steps taken to boost vaccine uptake, including making the vaccine free and widely available and providing information about the vaccines’ safety and efficacy. 

Vaccine requirements are not a new concept. They have been in place for America’s schoolchildren and health professionals for decades, reducing the rates of polio, meningitis and other serious diseases. 

The bottom line is that vaccine requirements help save lives. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, studied extensively by the nation’s foremost medical experts and effective at preventing infection — especially when it comes to cases leading to hospitalization or death. Hundreds of millions of individuals have already done their part to help end this pandemic by receiving the vaccine, and these policies will help ensure even more individuals are vaccinated.

Daniel P. McQuillen, MD, FIDSA – President, Infectious Diseases Society of America

About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is a community of over 12,000 physicians, scientists, and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at https://www.idsociety.org/.