What are the Latest Vaccine Mandate Rules for Businesses?

Federal Vaccine Requirements for Workplaces

The workplace requirement issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for companies with 100+ employees is currently not in effect, as it was blocked by the Supreme Court on Thursday, January 13, 2022. 

NOTE: This does not include healthcare workers who treat Medicare and Medicaid patients (see below).

Healthcare Workers Vaccine Mandate 

Currently, all healthcare workers who treat Medicare and Medicaid patients must be vaccinated, or else be tested weekly for COVID-19. On December 28, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the following requirements:

• Workers at health care facilities participating in Medicare or Medicaid must have received one dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson by January 28, and a second shot (if applicable) by February 28, 2022.
• The rule covers most health care workers in the US, including employees, students, trainees, and volunteers, as well as individuals who provide treatment or services for facilities under contract or other arrangements.
• Among the facility types covered by the rule are hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis facilities, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities. 
• Facilities must have 100% vaccination coverage, or they may face removal from the Medicare or Medicaid programs. 30-day and 60-day grace periods may be granted to providers with more than 80% of staff vaccinated by the first deadline (January 28, 2022).

All employees working for the State of Connecticut are required to be fully vaccinated. Visit this page to learn more about Connecticut's vaccine requirements for workers.