• • In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss the 51% efficacy of a single Pfizer dose and vaccination incentives. Read more below.
  • The CDC has updated its “Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines,” with notes including:
    • The COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic
    • None of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States shed or release any of their components – none of them contain a live virus
    • There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccines
    • COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way
    • The Federal Government does not mandate vaccination for people, including the COVID-19 vaccine
    • You will not test positive for COIVD-19 on a viral test after getting the vaccine
    • The COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19
  • As we’ve previously discussed, vaccination rates have decreased in some parts of the country, including the U.S. South, while a dozen states have had at least 70% of adults vaccinated with at least one shot! low vaccination rates .
  • The CDC has changed travel restrictions for ~110 countries.!
  • The EU COVID-19 passport has been revealed and some countries are planning to adopt. To find out more about it, Schengen Visa Info discusses what you need to know.
  • The Washington Post reports that scientists and researchers are seeking to better understand the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the human brain (including potential brain damage occurrence).
  • A recent study of COVID-19 related deaths between March and November 2020 found that COVID “caused a 22 percent increase of excess deaths, with a high proportion impacting the food/agriculture sector and the transportation sector, with Latinx “working age adults experiencing the highest excess mortality. Latino workers in the food industry had 59% excess mortality.”
  • Another recent study found that malicious bots were often the biggest spreader of COVID untruths; in fact, they were “the primary drivers of COVID-19 misinformation, spreading myths and seeding public health distrust exponentially faster than human users could.”
  • Officials in the UK are considering delaying the country’s re-opening due to the Delta COVID-19 variant & to ensure more older individuals are able to become fully vaccinated.
  • Most recently, real world data from Israel has shown that a single-dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is already 51% protective.
  • For Asian-Americans living in the U.S., “re-opening is not an option” as there is still an increasing surge of anti-Asian attacks (despite more vaccinations and decreasing case rates). In fact, Stop AAPI Hate has “tracked over 6,600 attacks and other incidents targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from March 2020 to March 2021.”
  • Royal Caribbean International (the cruise company) has announced it will start some U.S. sailings on July 2^nd, 2021; however, vaccinations, while strongly recommended, are not required.
  • Vaccinations for children as young as 6 months may be available in the Fall (for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines).
  • Moderna is seeking E.U. & Canada approval for the use its COVID-19 vaccine in teenagers!

  Public Health & Food Safety:

  • At this time, three popular Costco Frozen Desserts (Clio Snack’s Greek Yogurt Bars) are being recalled for potential metal contamination. For more information on the recall, please see here.
  • On June 7^th, the WHO committed to stepping up actions to improve food safety and protect people from disease. The WHO has developed and released a “handbook to help countries measure their foodborne disease burden and identify food safety system needs and data gaps so they can strengthen national infrastructure and better protect people’s health.” Read more, here.
  • Food Safety News reports on a recent report finding a decrease in STEC infections across Europe in 2019.
  • Although many women may be hesitant to get the flu vaccine while pregnant, increasing number of studies have found that infants who were exposed to the flu vaccine (while in the womb) did not have an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes!
  • The FDA has approved the second ever smallpox drug.

Single-Dose Vaccine Efficacy and Vaccination Incentives

With new studies showing that a single, 30-microgram dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was only 51% effective for any SARS-CoV-2 infection and 54% for symptomatic infections, TAG recommends businesses encourage employees to be sure they get both doses of the vaccine.

As we’ve also discussed previously, companies and states are finding that incentives are helping increase vaccination rates. From the $1 million drawings in Ohio to the “joints for jabs” incentive in Washington, states are implementing a vast array of incentives to encourage residents to be fully vaccinated. While neither of these are likely to be preferred, or possible, options for businesses, there are many incentives that are more in the range of business, such as smaller monetary awards, paid time off for the vaccination, gift certificates, etc.  Yesterday, the American Hospital Association stated that it would work with employers to set up onsite vaccination clinics for businesses in the US.  Interested businesses can email the AHA at [email protected]. 

TAG also has conducted many virtual Town Halls for businesses, to discuss the vaccines, answer questions, and alleviate employee concerns. Give us a call if you’re interested in holding your own Town Hall!

Risk Matrix

TAG’s weekly risk matrices continue with downward trends of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. TAG recommends that you continue to strive for balance between the risks and benefits of reducing/maintaining your current protections. TAG has also released a Dial-Back Planning Toolkit that allows you to better characterize the risks in your facility, including accounting for vaccinated individuals, mask-wearing, etc.

Positive trends –

• The Government Stringency Index is 27 this week. This is down from 37 last week, indicating a reduction in government stringencies. Four (4) states’ (California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon) businesses continue to be in mixed opening stages.
• In Figure 1, this week, we compare the case rate/100K (Table 1) in the population to the percentage of a state’s population that has been fully vaccinated (Table 2). Table 3 compares the previous week’s percentage of states’ populations that have become fully vaccinated full dose (and the rate of change between the last week and this week).
• As with last week, no states have a TPR ≥ 10% or TPR <10% and a case rate ≥25/100K people! This is positive news and incredibly promising!

Table 1.

Figure 1.

Table 2.

Table 3.

• In Monday’s Recommendations for Industry, we discussed the UK’s increasing cases of the Delta variant and also Monday being World Food Safety Day. Read more here.
• Monday (June 07, 2021) was World Food Safety Day. The June 7, 2021 observance aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.
• The number of people infected with coronavirus in the UK has risen by as much as two-thirds, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). BBC reports that It estimates that around 100,000 people tested positive in the week to 29 May, or one in 660 people – up from 60,000 the previous week. While a growing proportion looked like they were the Delta variant, first detected in India, the increased testing for the variant may make the spike look larger than it is.
• The AAP updated its guidance on proper mask use for children aged 2-11years who cannot or have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, stating that “Until children and adolescents can be fully protected by a vaccine, the AAP recommends they continue to wear masks when they are around groups of people indoors and outdoors.” The group encouraged unvaccinated children to wear masks in childcare, camp or school settings and while traveling, such as on airplanes, trains and buses, when playing with friends, at grocery stores, during indoor sports, and outdoor sports that have close contact.
• Although Japan is preparing to host the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, only 4% of the population had been vaccinated as of May 21, 2021. This delay in vaccine roll-out in Japan is said to be attributed to three factors: (1) the regulatory approval of COVID-19 vaccines in Japan has lagged behind other countries; (2) a delay in vaccine importation; (3) the vaccine roll-out system has been insufficient for achieving mass vaccination.
• According to CIDRAP:
  • Over 60% of US adults have at least 1 COVID shot, but most states will not have 70% of adults vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jul 4, an analysis finds.
  • Neurologic, psychiatric conditions common in COVID-19. One study suggests that symptoms like fatigue and depression are common, even with mild illness.
  • Groups amplify calls for COVID vaccine sharing as G7 leaders gather. Pressure grows on wealthy countries that have excess doses to start donating them.
• In last Friday’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss how COVID-19 risk mitigation measures can help reduce incidents and spread of influenza and other infectious respiratory diseases. Read more here
• The NYT spoke with workers in essential industries expressing their fears and concerns, feeling as “sitting ducks,” with the lifting of mask requirements, especially given customer reactions as they interact with workers.
• President Biden has announced the next month-long push for COVID-19 vaccination, with hopes to achieve at least a one-dose vaccination rate of 70% for the U.S. Some incentivization include: (a) “shots in shops” which hopes to “turn barber and beauty shops in predominantly Black neighborhoods into vaccine sites”; (b) continuing to provide free vaccine appointment rides via Lyft and Uber; (c) free childcare for parents getting vaccines at YMCAs; (d) increasing hours and access to vaccinations at pharmacies (e.g. Walgreens, CVS, etc.); (e) “Anheuser-Busch […] offering free beer to Americans who post pictures of themselves with vaccination cards on social media before July 4.” Additionally, many states and regions are increasing their own incentivization including tickets to games, lottery, and educational initiatives. [CIDRAP / NPR]
• Bahrain is encouraging residents “over 50, are obese or have chronic illnesses” to receive a Pfizer booster vaccine,” especially if the resident has received a Chinese vaccine.
• There have been two (2) billion vaccine doses administered worldwide. In terms of equity, “the world’s 27 wealthiest countries have administered nearly a third of all shots, despite being home to only 10 percent of the global population. In the U.S., 89.4 doses have been administered for every 100 people, compared to 1 dose per 100 people living in sub-Saharan Africa.”
• Germany continues its fight against the increase in fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates.
• VOX explores the 6 reasons that U.S. individuals are not getting vaccinated, these reasons include: (a) lack of access (real or perceived); (b) feeling that COVID-19 is not a threat; (c) fear of vaccine side effects; (d) lack of trust in the institutions; (e) lack of trust in vaccines; (f) conspiracy theories.
• The CDC released updated information and guidance for vaccinating migrant/migratory and seasonal food and agriculture workers as these populations are “at higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19 [and have had] disproportionate illness and mortality.” The CDC has even created a “Guide to Vaccinating Workers” to “help jurisdictions identify and quantify sub-populations of workers and then create a specific vaccination plan.”
• The WHO has announced “simple, easy-to-say labels for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of interest and concern.” This effort is also intended to decrease the stigmatization of countries that are linked specifically to certain variants. See table below:

• OSHA has updated and solidified its vaccination information for employers (on what can be asked and incentivized). This includes:
  • Federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19, so long as employers comply with the reasonable accommodation provisions of the ADA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other EEO considerations. Other laws, not in EEOC’s jurisdiction, may place additional restrictions on employers. From an EEO perspective, employers should keep in mind that because some individuals or demographic groups may face greater barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination than others, some employees may be more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccination requirement.
  • Federal EEO laws do not prevent or limit employers from offering incentives to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination obtained from a third party (not the employer) in the community, such as a pharmacy, personal health care provider, or public clinic. If employers choose to obtain vaccination information from their employees, employers must keep vaccination information confidential pursuant to the ADA.
  • Employers that are administering vaccines to their employees may offer incentives for employees to be vaccinated, as long as the incentives are not coercive. Because vaccinations require employees to answer pre-vaccination disability-related screening questions, a very large incentive could make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information.
  • Employers may provide employees and their family members with information to educate them about COVID-19 vaccines and raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination. The technical assistance highlights federal government resources available to those seeking more information about how to get vaccinated.