In efforts to encourage employees to get the COVID vaccine, Delta Airlines is introducing measures including weekly testing requirements and a monthly health insurance surcharge for those that refuse.
“I know some of you may be taking a wait-and-see approach or waiting for full FDA approval,” Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian wrote to employees Wednesday. “With this week’s announcement that the FDA has granted full approval for the Pfizer vaccine, the time for you to get vaccinated is now.”
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, beginning September 12, Delta employees who haven’t been vaccinated will have to submit to weekly testing as long as case numbers remain high. By the end of September, the company will only provide pay protection for missed time due to COVID to those who are fully vaccinated.
Additionally, starting in November, unvaccinated employees enrolled in Delta’s healthcare plan will have to pay an extra $200 each month to help cover hospital stays that are more likely for unvaccinated people who contract COVID.
“This surcharge will be necessary to address the financial risk the decision to not vaccinate is creating for our company,” Bastian said.
