Should SouthCoast Workers Get Vaccine Days Off?

As teachers join the next round of people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a question has come up in my mind about whether or not employers should offer days off to workers who decide to get one.

We are still learning what to expect when we get the COVID vaccine. My father has now received both vaccines and didn't complain at all about it; not at all surprising if you know my dad. My mother told me that he was a little under the weather for about half a day, but then bounced right back to his position on his recliner to watch the car auctions on TV.

My mom received her first shot, but won't get her second until next week. She had zero effects from her first dose.

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My wife got the "one-and-done" Johnson & Johnson shot and did end up experiencing some fatigue – unheard of from her – and body aches. The symptoms lasted about a day or two, then abated. I have a younger, out-of-state friend who received his second dose yesterday and was complaining of body aches and chills this morning.

My point is that there is an array of symptoms that may or may not present themselves after receiving the vaccine. In an effort to encourage people who want to get the vaccine, would it make sense to give them a day or two off to receive the shot and ride the wave through any potential symptoms they may experience?

Speaking strictly from a business point of view, having employees that are vaccinated holds some value to employers. If there is a COVID scare at the workplace, people who are properly vaccinated would not need to quarantine or get COVID tested as long as they remain asymptomatic. There is a real, measured benefit to having employees that are vaccinated.

To me, it would make sense for employers to offer a day (or two) to employees that are open to getting vaccinated. Make it as easy as possible for them to do it, power through any symptoms they may have, and get back to work.

As a point of clarity, I'm not suggesting that the government mandates this. I'm simply suggesting that it just might be in the business's best interest to implement a policy like this. Just a thought.