Bloomberg reports that Apple is launching a COVID-19 employee vaccination program that will provide vaccinations for employees at Apple offices. Apple is teaming up with Walgreens Boots Alliance to provide the shots. Employees will soon be able to sign up for shots on an Apple-provided website.
Apple had in March promised time off for employees who require time to recover from getting a vaccination, but at the time said it didn’t have a way to provide employee vaccinations. Since vaccine availability is expanding in the U.S., Apple can now offer vaccines to employees.
Apple’s vaccination program is voluntary, and Apple is offering sick leave for employees who need time to recover from symptoms after receiving the vaccine.
Providing vaccinations to employees could allow Apple to get its employees back into its offices sooner, although the company has not yet asked employees to return, nor has it set a date for the return.
Back in March, Cook said that he “can’t wait” for employees to return to the office as person-to-person interactions are essential for generating new ideas. “Innovation isn’t always a planned activity,” Cook said. “It’s bumping into each other over the course of the day and advancing an idea that you just had. And you really need to be together to do that.”
