MILWAUKEE — As we wait for the Food and Drug Administration to give the go-ahead on a coronavirus vaccine we wanted to know if an employer could require you to get one. 

We found out that employers are allowed to mandate the vaccine for their employees, with certain exemptions and the vaccine must be fully licensed. There are exceptions if you have a medical issue or if it’s against your religion. 

“Some of the issues are medical and people have a reason for medical excuses to not wear masks and also for vaccines because they may have a reaction in terms of a medical accommodation, so that is something that really needs to be looked at. The second is religious accommodation. This is also huge in the mask space and people who have a high held convictions in that regard are exempt. However, you must be able to prove it,” said Nola Hitchcock Cross from Cross Law Firm.

Cross said she could see a COVID vaccine requirement for health care workers because they need to protect patients in their care, but other companies could also make the requirement to protect customers and employees.

Cross stressed the importance of employers and employees talking things out when it comes to the COVID vaccine. 

”The best way to do it is to talk to the employees and have that interaction process on a group basis. They could explain this is what we are up against, what do you think and how can we solve it,” said Cross.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said health care workers and long-term care residents and staff will get top priority for the vaccine.