COVID-19 Vaccine for Essential Pest Control Industry Workers

The COVID-19 vaccine is on the cusp of approval and distribution. While the CDC and states are planning on vaccinating health care workers and high-risk individuals first, the next group is supposed to be essential workers, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security CISA document where structural pest control falls under 1. Food and Agriculture, and 2. Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services. 

The NPMA Public Policy Committee approved advocating for structural pest control workers to be vaccinated in the group immediately after health care workers, so our industry could continue to provide our essential services and minimize disruptions caused by COVID-19. The NPMA Public Policy Committee would also like to stress that they support voluntary vaccinations. This is not a mandate or an endorsement of requiring vaccines. NPMA sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on December 11, 2020, advocating for essential pest control workers to be prioritized to receive the vaccine.

To assist with this endeavor, we drafted a letter that state pest control associations may use if they choose to do so and send to their state's governor and other important officials that are making decisions on vaccination distribution. NPMA also has offered to launch grassroots campaigns for state pest control associations so they can advocate for a voluntary COVID-19 vaccine priority that way.