Three main government entities – the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, California and New York City – announced Monday they would ask for some or all of their government employees to get vaccinated or be tested weekly. The vaccines are still awaiting full consent from the Food and Drug Administration.
"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 announced 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."
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The opinion explained that some have questioned whether such entities can legally impose such conditions.
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In the opinion, the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel states 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."
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The VA became the first agency in the federal government to declare that it will want patient-facing employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Last week, throughout a White House press briefing, press secretary Jen Psaki recommended that every White House official had been offered a COVID-19 vaccine, yet explained Friday that the White House was not requiring officials to be vaccinated.
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"No, we have not mandated it," Psaki replied, after being asked whether the administration was mandating White House staff get a coronavirus vaccine.
Psaki did not provide a precise number of how many White House officials have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, yet explained that they are able to track the number of individuals on the president’s staff because "they are vaccinated here in the White House medical unit."
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Meanwhile, On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, hinted at the likelihood of reinstating broad mask mandates in public places, even for vaccinated people. CNN reported a decision on the updated guidelines could come as soon as Tuesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scheduled a COVID-related press conference for 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Furthermore, face coverings are expected to return with the opening of schools around the country.
"Mask mandates or universal masking in the school setting should be enforced," said Tina Tan, a pediatrics professor at Northwestern University, in a conference call with reporters.
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