3028 - If my employer requires proof of my COVID-19 vaccination status, does that violate my rights under HIPAA?

In general, the HIPAA Rules do not apply to employers or employment records. HIPAA only applies to HIPAA covered entities – health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses – and, to some extent, to their business associates. If an employer asks an employee to provide proof that they have been vaccinated, that is not a HIPAA violation, and employees may decide whether to provide that information to their employer.

Vaccines protect workers and help business reopen safely, and are available at no cost to everyone in the United States age 12 and older. However, if you are unvaccinated and returning to work in person, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others in the workplace.

Learn more about workplace anti-discrimination laws and COVID-19 from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

For other questions about COVID-19 and the workplace, check the Department of Labor's website.