The controversial topic of company-required vaccinations for employment has a new twist to consider. OSHA had a policy in place requiring employers to report any employees who complained of adverse affects to the shots. OSHA has since done an about face on that policy, now telling employers they no longer need to document adverse reactions on the OSHA 300 logs.
The new guidance is in effect at least until May 2022. Some employers are requiring employees to be vaccinated. Others strongly recommend and even incentivize employees to get the shots.
Previously, OSHA required employers who made vaccinations a condition of employment to record any adverse reactions to the vaccine.
It is possible OSHA received pressure from the outside to change its policy, especially when considering the agency's official statement. OSHA officials said the organization is, "working diligently to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations and does not wish to have any appearance of discouraging workers from receiving COVID-19 vaccinations."
With hundreds of millions of people receiving vaccines to this point, and limited reports of vaccine injuries, it can be concluded there is little to no short-term vaccination risk.
This does not mean however the vaccines are 100% effective, or safe.
18-year-old Emma Burkey in Las Vegas ended up in a coma after getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in March. Her family says she is making a slow recovery. They are waiting to see if there will be any compensation for her injury. In the meantime, they started Her family started a GoFundMe account to help with medical expenses from the very rare vaccine reaction.
There may be no recourse for anyone who has adverse affects to the vaccine because they were rushed to market under the emergency use protocol.
She’s making a slow recovery, having recently been transfered from the hospital to a rehabilitation center, and the first round of bills totaled $513,000. The 18-year-old’s family friends in the Las Vegas area started
Generally, it takes about 10 years to fully release, study, and get FDA approval. Three vaccine makers, Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson were able to produce COVID-19 vaccines in only 10 months.
This of course makes many hesitant about getting the vaccine, yet there is a worldwide push to get people to get the shot despite the fact no one yet knows what long term affects the vaccines may have.
Is OSHA's decision not to report adverse affects to vaccine shots one that will help people have confidence in the vaccine, or does it make it harder for those with questions to make an informed decision?
