My employer requires a flu shot. If you did not get the flu shot, you had to wear a mask at all times at work. This started three years ago, before we all had to wear masks anyway.
Just to avoid the hassle, and look "different" everyone got a flu shot. I am not sure that an employer could actually let go of an employee who refused a vaccine. That opens up to a huge ADA issue.
Only if the person qualifies for ADA - which is an interesting question. The disability has to affect immunity/immunizations. I am a disabled person (technically, I have a placard, I fractured my back 15 years ago, it's led to a series of orthopedic issues that affect my mobility; it does not affect my immune system). My doctor is a good doct0r, there's no way he would tell my employer that I am unable to take a vaccine. My PCP wouldn't, either (she'd say the opposite; with my familial high ch0lesterol, I am at risk for a severe course of COVID, she would urge me to take the vaccine).
But yes, if an employee's doctor had communicated to one's workplace that they had a medical reason not to take the vaccine (keeping in mind that millions of medical fragile, elderly and immune-compromised will be taking the vaccine
first) then an employee could file some kind of action with the feds (good luck with that though, because even people with bona fide issues are only entitled to
reasonable accommodations). As a teacher (for example), we can't claim that it's reasonable that we never enter a classroom again because we are immune-compromised. They'd tell us to wear masks and they would build us a plexi-glass booth (and there are a couple of classrooms with stages completely shielded - they'd put us there and if we refused, we'd lose pay).
Employers can certainly let people go for refusing vaccines or tests (you can't just not teach and get paid; if you refuse a TB test, you can't go in the classroom, etc). We actually don't get much sick leave, so I've watched bone marrow transplant patients who are teachers take 6 months of unpaid leave in order to at least keep their health insurance, and then be required to return to the classroom - their doctors may support them being in a plexiglass booth, but they can't just stay home, not teach and receive a paycheck).
I have been a member of the adjudication panel for accommodations for about 10 years. It's been eye-opening. But airline pilots can't fly if they can't see, and teachers can't teach if they refuse to go into any kind of classroom (right now, most teachers who claim this kind of immune disability are required to teach online; however some disciplines do not prevent it and I'm watching a dear friend return to a real classroom right now - with protective gear - after carefully considering her other option, of early retirement).
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