Half of Construction Workers not Comfortable Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccinations and the freedom to decide whether or not to get a shot has become a controversial issue as sides clash over the safety and potential hazards associated with them. Misinformation found on the internet, either for or against the vaccines, has made constructive dialogue that much more difficult.

Some people are worried about potential health risks of getting vaccinated, while there is a segment of the population completely confident in the science behind the vaccinations, and who are actively encouraging Americans to get the COVID-19 shots.

For instance, the United Contractors of California launched a campaign to get workers vaccinated for COVID-19. The  "Roll Up Your Sleeves" campaign is designed to inform and encourage people to get the shots offered by Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or Pfizer.

The campaign began in response to a study showing only about 50% of individuals working in the construction sector are willing to get vaccinated.

The vaccines have instead received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Longer observation and study of vaccine recipients and potential long term side effects is needed before the drugs can receive FDA approval. Understandably, this can make some people nervous about getting something injected into their body, especially when, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, ordinarily it takes about 10 years to develop a vaccine.

Still, the United Contractors of California are hoping to ease concerns with their campaign, noting that FDA officials say the only difference between the EUA and complete FDA approval is that a duration follow-up of vaccinated individuals is lacking.

However, the New England Journal of Medicine warns, "abbreviated development timeline provides little opportunity to identify potential adverse events such as joint pain, anaphylaxis, or neurologic conditions such as encephalitis, transverse myelitis, or Guillain–Barré syndrome that might occur in the longer term or that are rare enough that they probably won’t be discovered until the vaccine is distributed to a substantial portion of the public."

Feeling confident the vaccines are safe, the United Contractors of California is encouraging construction companies owners and managers to lead the way with vaccinations.

During a webinar hosted by the Associated General Contractors of America, attorneys told participants employers can require vaccines for employees.

There's already talk of vaccine passports here in the United States, similar to those already activated in other countries. A vaccine passport here in the U.S. may leave some contractors with one of two options, get vaccinated or find new employment.

Here is ConEquip, you don't need to be vaccinated to buy parts, so give us a call if you need anything for your excavators, dozers, wheel loaders, backhoes, any make or model.