Coronavirus vaccine has mostly been a distribution problem, not supply issue: Dr. Marty Makary
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marty Makary provides insight into President Biden’s coronavirus executive orders.
Talk about a work perk.
Southwest Airlines has revealed that it will give employees the coronavirus vaccine for free, once the inoculation is widely available in the U.S.
The major carrier confirmed the update to Fox News on Friday. When the time comes, workers will be "strongly encouraged" to get vaccinated in the fight against the viral disease, a spokesperson said.
Southwest Airlines operations at Dallas Love Field during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Stephen M. Keller via Southwest Airlines)
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"Southwest is strongly encouraging employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In these very early phases of roll-out of vaccine, states and counties are driving prioritization and distribution, and that’s generally limited to state or county designated medical providers," the spokesperson explained.
Once available, the airline will foot the bill for administrative fees through its company health plan. The vaccine itself is funded by the federal government.
On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order mandating face masks for air travel, commercial transportation and on federal property. (iStock)
"We’re developing our plan for vaccines as quickly as new information becomes available, as are many other organizations and communities," they continued. "In the meantime, we continue to encourage Southwest employees to seek out updates and information from the CDC, as well as on state and local websites on access to vaccines."
Overseas, Singapore Airlines said it’s racing to have the first fully vaccinated crew in the commercial aviation. Singapore’s Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung hopes to have all front-line workers in the aviation and maritime industries vaccinated within two months.
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In related news, President Joe Biden also signed an executive order on Thursday mandating face masks for air travel, as well as commercial transportation and on federal property. Biden’s decision comes amid calls from groups within the airline industry to issue such a requirement, and nearly one year after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic.
Fox News’ Michael Bartiromo and Cortney Moore contributed to this report.