By Nickie Louise
Over the past three days, there were speculations that the U.S. will soon make it mandatory for everyone to get the covid vaccine. Even though the vaccines have not been fully approved by the FDA, many government agencies and private companies have said they would require their employees to get vaccinated or be tested every week. So far, the biggest problem has been the legal challenges behind the mandates.
Now, it seems the last huddle has been removed. According to a new statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ), “Federal law does not prohibit public agencies and private businesses from requiring COVID-19 vaccines that are under emergency use authorization, Fox News reported, citing the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel opinion.
“As access to the COVID-19 vaccines has become widespread, numerous educational institutions, employers, and other entities across the United States have announced that they will require individuals to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, enrollment, participation, or some other benefit, service, relationship, or access,” DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel wrote in an opinion. “For instance, certain schools will require vaccination in order for students to attend class in person, and certain employers will require vaccination as a condition of employment.”
So far, three major government entities – the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, California and New York City – said Monday they would require some or all of their government employees to get vaccinated or be tested weekly. The vaccines are still awaiting full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
In its opinion, the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel says the law concerning emergency use authorizations (EUAs) “does not prohibit public or private entities from imposing vaccine requirements, even when the only vaccines available are those authorized under EUAs.”
The VA became the first agency in the federal government to announce that it will require patient-facing employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
