Yes.

The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) “only applies to specific health-related entities, such as insurance companies, health care providers and their business associates,” according to a recent article from The Washington Post.

“There’s nothing in HIPAA that bars asking  people about their health” the article continues, “It’s a prohibition against (covered entities) sharing.”

In the absence of a separate state law*, there are no federal laws banning employers, schools, airlines etc. from asking about vaccination status or requiring you to show proof vis a vis a vaccine card. * (None exist in Wisconsin.)

But, do you have to answer?

No.

Here’s where it gets tricky.

Should you decline to answer, there might be consequences.  But, if you have a valid medical or religious reason for not  being vaccinated, could the business be charged with discrimination?

I’ll let the Washington Post article (here) explain the nuances of when and how to ask.

And, answer.

This may explain why we’re rarely asked by anyone – other than our doctors – if we’ve been vaccinated for polio, tetanus, the flu, measles, mumps or chicken pox!

Think about it.