Estonia COVID-19 Employer Resources

• Can employers mandate the vaccine?
  No. Getting vaccinated against the coronavirus is going to be voluntary in Estonia. The employer cannot force the employee to be vaccinated if he does not want to do so for any reason. On the other hand, the employer has the right and obligation to establish rules for behavior in the work environment. If the risk assessment identifies the need for work restrictions, the employer can establish that only vaccinated workers can perform certain tasks. Employees should be notified of the establishment of the procedure with a reasonable period of notice.
• Who will control delivery of the vaccine?
  Federal and provincial governments
• Who covers the cost of the vaccine?
  Government
• Where will people get vaccinated?
  Government designated vaccination locations
• Is there cultural resistance to getting the vaccine?
  Moderate

First quarter of 2021

Vaccination of employees at healthcare and welfare institutions and the residents of welfare institutions.The vaccination process has been launched for those individuals who are over seventy years of age and who are included in a risk group based on their diagnosis. Qualified individuals will be notified by their family physicians and via the eesti.ee website that they have been included in a target group for vaccination and can therefore be vaccinated. Those individuals who have received their first dose will receive reminders about the time at which they will receive their second injection. On 7 February, the first shipment of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Estonia, consisting of 7,200 doses. In the week of 15 February, vaccination centers commenced the vaccination of the employees of educational institutions. On 16 February, vaccination commenced against COVID-19 for frontline workers who are responsible for ensuring internal security (such as employees of the Rescue Board and the Police and Border Guard Board, plus volunteer rescuers and assistant police officers).The Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines consist of two doses. A second injection will be administered to recipients after a period of time which has been prescribed by the manufacturer. The vaccine’s maximum efficiency will only be achieved after someone has received their second dose. For the recipient to develop the required level of immunity, both doses must be administered.

Second quarter of 2021

Based on the Estonian COVID-19 vaccination plan, anyone who requires the vaccine will be able to be vaccinated in the second quarter of 2021. This will be possible provided that the vaccines of other manufacturers will also be granted marketing authorization in addition to those of Pfizer/Biotech and Moderna, and provided that Estonia will receive a sufficient volume of vaccine. The procedure for vaccinating Estonia’s population will be developed in the first months of 2021, based on the issuance of the appropriate marketing authorization for COVID-19 vaccines in the EU, as well as upon delivery schedules, i.e. the time at which the vaccine may be delivered to Estonia. The process of vaccinating children will commence as soon as a vaccine has become available which is suitable for children.

More Information

Estonian Government Corona virus and Healthcare

Covid -19 Vaccination in Estonia