Moving Beyond COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Workers
The executive order titled Moving Beyond COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Workers ends the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for federal employees and the related safety protocols for federal contractors that were established under prior orders. Specifically, it revokes Executive Orders 14042 and 14043, which had required vaccination for federal employees and imposed safety protocols for federal contractors. The order explains that, given the downtrend in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations and the move away from the acute pandemic phase, a government-wide vaccination requirement is no longer needed. It clarifies that vaccination remains a tool for protection but that the government will no longer enforce a blanket vaccination requirement. The order also states that existing agency policies tied to those previous orders are rescinded where premised on them and that the order does not alter other legal authorities or create new rights.
Key Points
- 1Revocation of vaccination requirements: Executive Orders 14042 (federal contractor safety protocols) and 14043 (federal employee vaccination) are revoked; agency policies that implemented those orders, to the extent premised on them, can no longer be enforced and must be rescinded consistent with applicable law.
- 2Policy rationale: The order cites progress in controlling COVID-19, a decline in deaths and hospitalizations, and the conclusion that a government-wide vaccination requirement is no longer necessary, even though vaccination remains a useful tool.
- 3Effective date: The order becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 12, 2023.
- 4General provisions: The order does not impair other legal authorities and is to be implemented consistent with applicable law and available appropriations; it does not create any new rights or benefits enforceable by law.
- 5Scope of change: Focused on federal workers and federally contracted work; certain safety and vaccination-related requirements tied to the previous orders are rescinded, while other health measures not premised on these orders may remain, subject to law.