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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said federal law does not prevent employers from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine.
Full FDA approval for P zer vaccine estimated in June/July
Estimated full FDA approval for Moderna estimated in late summer
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Retirement Center Management, which manages Carriage Inn Conroe: no date provided
Eclipse Senior Living , which manages Elmcroft of Rivershire Conroe: Vaccine required by June
Royal Carribean International : By Aug. 1, all passengers age 12 and up must be vaccinated.
Baylor College of Medicine : Planning to mandate this fall
SOURCES: OFFICE OF GOV. GREG ABBOTT, PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES, VALERIE KOCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
entities receiving state funds from requiring it. Meanwhile, Montgomery County o cials said they will not mandate vaccination. “From the perspective of the gen- eral population, we’re never going to force any one of you to get a shot in your arm,” Millsaps said. During the 87th legislative session, state lawmakers led bills opposing various vaccine requirements. Senate Bill 968, which was signed into law, prohibits government entities from issuing vaccine passports as well as businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccination. Business decisions David Barron, a labor and employ- ment attorney, said federal agen- cies recently relaxed guidance for businesses regarding vaccination etiquette. For example, Barron said the U.S. Department of Labor Occu- pational Safety and Health Admin- istration updated its guidelines in mid-May to no longer require employ- ers to record COVID-19 vaccine side
e ects until May 2022. Barron said he believes many employers have at least considered implementing a vaccine requirement. “If things continue to get better, I would say it’s probably unlikely that additional employers would jump onto the mandate bandwagon,” he said. “If things turn the other way, I think there’s a good chance you will see employers [mandate].” Several assisted-living facilities in Conroe are requiring a COVID-19 vaccine for employees, according to property management websites. Eclipse Senior Living, which man- ages Elmcroft of Rivershire Conroe, stated in an April 9 letter from CEO
Kai Hsiao that it is asking associates in its communities to be fully vaccinated by June. Retirement Center Man- agement, which manages Carriage Inn Conroe, includes participating in mandatory vaccine programs such as COVID-19 in its job descriptions. The property managers did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Scheiner said most places in Conroe likely will not mandate. “The rewards would really have to outweigh the risk,” she said. “I sus- pect that most will decide otherwise, especially since most of them have not experienced major outbreaks within their own facilities.”
Just outside of the Conroe and Montgomery area, Steve Ho art, owner of Magnolia Pharmacy, said he has had several employers—from sec- tors that range fromhealth care to real estate to sales—call him and ask for advice regarding vaccine mandates. “I am a business owner; I am a health care provider; and I’m also a very freedom-loving American,” he said. “Wearing all three hats. ... I don’t think there’s an easy answer.” Anna Lotz contributed to this report.
Find related stories at communityimpact.com . Keyword search COVID-19, vaccine
IF THINGS CONTINUE TOGETBETTER, IWOULDSAY IT’S PROBABLYUNLIKELYTHATADDITIONAL EMPLOYERS WOULD JUMPONTOTHEMANDATEBANDWAGON. IF THINGS TURNTHEOTHERWAY, I THINKTHERE’SAGOOD CHANCEYOUWILL SEE EMPLOYERS MANDATE . DAVID BARRON, LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY
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