Monday marks deadline for federal employee vax mandate, CDC approves boosters

by sam

Samuel Case, FISM News

 

Monday marks the deadline for all federal employees to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or risk losing employment. The Biden administration said as of Monday over 90% of the 3.5 million employees affected by the mandate have received the jab. The White House estimates that 95% of employees are in compliance with order when taking medical and religious exemptions into consideration. 

“Already 95% of [U.S. government] employees are in compliance with the president’s vax requirement. There are no disruptions related to the requirement; we’ll avoid COVID-related disruptions through vaccinations. Today isn’t a cliff and we’ll be working with employees,” White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said on Twitter.

Employees who remain unvaccinated after Monday, without an exemption, will be required to undergo “a brief period of education and counseling” for five days. Following this period if an employee doesn’t “demonstrate progress toward becoming fully vaccinated” they will receive a “short suspension” of no more than 14 days. 

This comes as the CDC signed off on booster shots for both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines on Friday, following approval from the FDA earlier in the day. The CDC has not officially recommended boosters for those 18 to 49, but said those within the age group may receive a booster if they wish.  

Previously, the CDC had only recommended boosters for those in the 50 to 64 age range with underlying medical conditions, but has since expanded its recommendation to all adults above 50. 

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