Airlines, steel companies, auto makers race to get vaccine for staff

Companies are asking their employees to be termed as essential workers and are in talks with vaccine makers for bulk procurement

Airlines, airports, steel and auto manufacturers, and fast-moving consumer goods firms are jockeying for Covid-19 vaccines, hoping that getting employees vaccinated will help them resume full-scale manufacturing.

Company bosses are calling on the government to give their workers priority access to the shots, arguing that their employees are needed to keep the economy running or face high risks of contracting the virus. Some of them have even started exploratory talks with vaccine makers to secure supplies for employees.

“I am certain that the government will prioritise manufacturing workers who are an integral part of the economy for the vaccine. However, it also