IMF Economist: COVID Vaccines Key To Getting Economy Back On Track

Experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF( weighed in last week regarding the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. Chief economist Gita Gopinath told CNBC, “The main weapon we have are vaccines … We are seeing virus mutations happening and for as long as many parts of the world remain unvaccinated, you are going to see many more of these mutations and that is a big concern for the global economy.”

The remarks came as President Joe Biden moved up the deadline for states to open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults. That deadline is now April 19, earlier than his previous deadline of May 1.

As new COVID-19 variants arise and the number of cases increases in Europe, businesses must take a leadership role in ensuring their employees get the vaccine, and there are many resources to help them do so, including:

• A National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and The Manufacturing Institute initiative to encourage manufacturing employees and their families to wear a ribbon pin that lets everyone know they have been vaccinated. The initiative’s website features posters, sample email text, and social media materials to share with employees. The NAM has additional information here. Read about how one manufacturer pulled off a mass vaccination event here.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance that says employers with large spaces and workforces can set up temporary vaccination sites. The guidance also includes recommendations as to who should get priority for vaccinations.
• For businesses that have encountered employees who are hesitant about getting a COVID vaccine, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has created a document that provides steps that critical infrastructure owners and operators can take to reduce the risk and encourage vaccine acceptance across this critical sectors’ workforce. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides additional resources in its Essential Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit.
• Finally, click here for a one-pager from the USCC that has helpful tips and tactics that are designed to help employers communicate about vaccines.

In Canada, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) organization has offered support to the manufacturing sector to speed the vaccination rollout, including using industrial sites and resources to deliver vaccines to their workforce and the broader local communities. CME also has urged the government of Ontario to prioritize the vaccination of essential workers so that the sector can continue to keep workplaces open and safe.