ECJ: Can Employers Force Employees to Get Vaccinated?

In a recent case C-219/24 Talinna linn the European Court of Justice (‘ECJ’) delved into whether employers may force employees to get vaccinated.

The case revolved around the fact that the City of Talinn amended the professional rules applicable to ambulance staff, stating that vaccination against dangerous communicable diseases was required in order to exercise their profession.

The City of Talinn forced ambulance staff to furnish proof of vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, warning them that, in the absence of presentation of such proof, their employment contracts could be terminated.

The ECJ found that EU law must be interpreted as not precluding national legislation pursuant to which an employer may require employees to undergo vaccination if they are exposed to a biological risk.