As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across the country, some states and other jurisdictions are making them available to specific groups of essential workers, including construction.
In most areas of the country, the elderly and other high-risk populations were the first to receive access to the vaccine, but now many states have made them available to workers in specific industries, including some non-medical workers who are at risk of being exposed to the virus on the job.
The lists of which professions are eligible vary widely by state, according to sister publication HR Dive. Nearly all states and Washington, D.C., are allowing some grocery store workers to get shots. Childcare workers and teachers from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible for vaccines in every state.
Some states specifically include construction workers in their list of essential workers that can get the vaccine. For instance, in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday expanded eligibility to food and beverage workers, construction trade workers and religious leaders.
Despite the loosening of vaccine restrictions, a recent report found that some construction workers are unlikely to get a vaccine. While willingness ranges as high as 77% for workers in higher education, just 53% of construction workers said they’d willingly roll up their sleeves for the shot. That put the group fourth from the bottom in industry rankings, ahead of just retail, transportation and food and beverage workers, according to data research firm Morning Consult.
In light of this, Construction Dive wants to know: Are you eligible for the vaccine and if so will you get it? Answer our quick survey and have your voice heard. Results will be published next week.
