With general contractors increasingly mandating COVID-19 vaccines on their job sites, there have been some questions regarding “natural immunity” and mandatory vaccine policies. Specifically, if having “natural immunity” (from previously being diagnosed with COVID-19) or the ability to demonstrate an employee has COVID-19 antibodies is sufficient to comply with a GC’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

At present, the answer is no.

GCs have the right to make an exception to their vaccine mandate for those who have recovered from COVID-19 or can demonstrate antibodies (so it’s worth checking the GC’s policy). However, at present, nearly all employers (and the CDC) do not recognize “natural immunity” or COVID-19 antibodies as an alternative to immunization (i.e., receiving the COVID-19 vaccine).