Bill aims to protect workers affected by vaccine mandates

Suffer adverse effects

                                                                                            (Photo Provided)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – A bill is being proposed for the 2022 General Assembly that would provide protections for workers who suffer adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccines mandated by employers.

Rep. Felicia Rabourn, R-Turners Station, said hospitals, school systems and other employers across America are requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to keep their jobs, and believes these mandates put workers at risk of side effects from the vaccines.

The bill draft, which has nearly a dozen co-sponsors, would make workers’ compensation benefits available to employees in instances where employers require vaccination as a condition of employment. If an employee is required to receive the vaccine and they experience adverse side effects within 14 days, they would be eligible to receive workers' compensation.

“Many of my constituents are facing the grim reality that they must choose between their ability to feed their family or take a vaccine that may cause adverse reactions,” Rabourn said. “Simply put, we should not allow businesses to force vaccinations and not agree to assume the risk associated with that decision.”

As of now, only the Pfizer vaccine is fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, eight months after the first Kentuckian was inoculated. Rabourn cautions employees who are uncertain to have a conversation with their healthcare provider.

“My hope is that this legislation prompts employers to pause and reexamine the very personal decision they make for employees by mandating the vaccine. Employees should have recourse if harmed,” she said.

For more information on the proposed legislation, go to https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/22rs/prefiled/BR353.html.