United Airlines wants to require employees to get the vaccine

If other companies start demanding the vaccine, Chicago-based United will likely be among the first to do so, said Kirby. However, he doesn't think the airline should be the only one to require employees to get the vaccine. "We need a few others to show leadership," he said.

"I think the right thing to do is United Airlines, and other companies, to require vaccines and make them mandatory," he said, according to a transcript provided by the company.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission has determined that employers can require workers to get the vaccine, although workers may refuse due to a true and proven disability or religious belief.

Several companies have said they will strongly encourage employees to get vaccinated and, in some cases, offer incentives, but do not plan to make vaccines mandatory. Among others, American Airlines said it will encourage employees to get the vaccine, but does not intend to make it mandatory, unless vaccines must enter certain destinations to which the airline travels.

Mandatory or not, airline employees may soon have access to the vaccine.