AstraZeneca demands that its US employees be vaccinated

AstraZeneca has demanded that its U.S.-based employees be vaccinated against the coronavirus if they return to work or visit customers, the company confirmed on Monday.

The drugmaker, headquartered in Cambridge, England, said the requirement also applied to employees at its Boston-based subsidiary Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Workers can request exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons, but will be required to pass weekly coronavirus tests.

“To protect the health and well-being of our employees and our communities, we must follow the science,” a spokesperson for AstraZeneca said in a statement.

AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine has been cleared for use in 87 countries, according to the company’s website, and 913 million doses have been shipped. The vaccine has not been authorized for use in the United States.

Johnson & Johnson, which offers a single-injection vaccine approved for use in the United States, also has a vaccine mandate for its U.S.-based employees and contractors, effective October 4. Those with health problems or other reasons for not being vaccinated will be able to seek housing, said the New Brunswick-based company, in New Jersey.

“The data shows that getting the vaccine is essential to help end the pandemic,” a spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson said in a statement.

Pfizer, a New York-based US competitor, requires all of its US employees and contractors to be vaccinated or participate in weekly Covid-19 testing. Moderna, who is based in Cambridge, Mass., Did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Coral Murphy Marcos contributed report.