COVID-19 Vax for Employees (E.O. 14043)

Summary

Makes all federal government workers get the COVID-19 vaccine to help stop the spread of the virus and keep the workforce safe.

What problem does this solve?

The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 was causing a rapid rise in sickness, which put government workers and the public at risk. This order requires federal employees to get vaccinated to protect their health and ensure government services can continue safely.

What does this order do?

Requires COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees

Directs every federal agency to create a program that requires all of its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Allows for legal exceptions

States that the vaccination requirement will have exceptions, but only those that are required by existing laws.

Directs task force to issue guidance

Orders the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force to release instructions within seven days on how agencies should put the vaccine rule into practice.

Defines covered agencies and employees

Specifies that the rule applies to Executive agencies as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105 and employees as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2105.

Who does this affect?

Federal employees
Executive branch agencies

What is the real world impact?

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Promotes public health and safety

Uses the federal government's role as a large employer to increase vaccination rates, aiming to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of both government workers and the public they serve.

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Sets a standard for other employers

Encourages private companies and other organizations to adopt similar vaccine requirements for their own employees by having the federal government lead by example.

When does this start?

This order became effective on September 9, 2021, and sets a specific deadline for new guidance.

Task force guidance deadline

By September 16, 2021, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force must provide guidance to agencies on how to implement the vaccine requirement.