Posted on 08/01/21
| News Source: Washington Examiner
The Department of Justice on Monday published an opinion indicating that coronavirus vaccine mandates are legal despite only being approved for emergency use.
The judgment was brought to light as areas across the country have either mulled or implemented shot mandates in some capacity amid a surge in cases. The Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use go-ahead “does not prohibit public or private entities from imposing vaccination requirements for vaccines that are subject to EUAs,” the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel wrote. Citizens have a right to be “‘informed’ of certain information, including ‘the option to accept or refuse administration of the product,'” though businesses, government, and other entities are not prohibited from requiring doses from Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson, all of which have received only emergency use authorizations, the DOJ added.
None of the shots have been given a set date for full FDA approval, though health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, are confident the vaccinations will be given the OK from the government body. However, both federal and local entities have opted not to wait for the FDA to mandate vaccinations.