The U.S. Operations were heavily impacted by COVID-19 in 2021, with several employees hospitalised, and two of our employees losing their lives after contracting the virus. We had a total of 376 employees test positive, and 770 employees quarantined due to exposure. In an effort to encourage U.S. employees to be vaccinated, Coronado U.S. initiated a Vaccine Incentive Plan.
The Vaccine Incentive Plan provided financial incentive to employees who became fully vaccinated prior to 31 December 2021, with an additional incentive to obtain a booster shot once it obtained final approval. Recognising the criticality of education and availability of the vaccine, we offered several on-site clinics and sent out several communications to employees’ homes.
Prior to the introduction of the incentive plan, only 32% of our employees were vaccinated against COVID-19. At the end of the program, an additional 399 employees obtained their vaccine, bringing our total vaccination rate up to 66%.
This program more than doubled the number of our workforce that were fully vaccinated. This 66% vaccination rate is above the national average of 64% and well above the West Virginian vaccination rate of 57%.
