Nov 4, 2021 - Health

Ford first major U.S. automaker to issue vaccine mandate

Axios

A line worker assembles Ford Motor Company's 2021 Ford Bronco on the line at their Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan on June 14 — Ford Motor Company's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. Photo: Jeff Kowal/AFP via Getty Images

Ford will mandate COVID-19 vaccines for most of its 32,000 salaried workers in the U.S., CNBC first reported Wednesday.

The big picture: Ford is the first major American automaker to require employees to be vaccinated against the virus, CNN notes.

The policy for staff to be fully inoculated by Dec. 8 is in line with a Biden administration vaccination deadline for federal contractors that have contracts with the government.

Details: Ford spokesperson Marisa Bradley said in a statement to the Detroit News that workers who refuse to get vaccinated could be placed on unpaid leave. Those who can't get vaccinated for religious or medical reasons may be eligible for an exemption, she noted.

"The health and safety of our workforce remains our top priority and we have been very encouraged by the support of our employees to comply with our protocols, including the more than 84% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated," Bradley added.

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Ford first major U.S. automaker to issue vaccine mandate

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