United Airlines may make the Covid-19 vaccine mandatory for employees, and other companies should do the same, United CEO Scott Kirby told workers at a meeting on Thursday, according to a revised transcript by Reuters .
A United spokeswoman confirmed that the company was “strongly considering” making vaccines mandatory, although it is not yet a policy.
“I think the right thing to do is United Airlines, and other companies, to require vaccines and make them mandatory,” said Kirby.
“If others agree and are willing to demand vaccines, you should probably expect United to be among the first batch of companies that do.”
CNBC had previously reported news of Kirby wanting to make the vaccine mandatory for employees.
Private US companies may require their employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but they are unlikely to do so due to the risks of legal and cultural reaction, experts said.
The companies are still in the early stages of access and distribution of vaccines against the disease caused by the new coronavirus, but inoculation is considered the key to safely resume operations in crowded warehouses, factory lines and sales areas.