About 90% of Federal Workers Got Vaccinated by Deadline

Nov. 23, 2021 -- More than 90% of national employees received astatine slightest 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose by the Nov. 22 deadline that President Joe Biden announced this fall.

The bulk of those employees are afloat vaccinated, and different 5% are seeking oregon already person an objection oregon an extension. That means 95% of the 3.5 cardinal national employees who were covered by the vaccine mandate person complied by the Monday deadline.

“We are successfully implementing vaccination requirements for the largest workforce successful the United States with national employees successful each portion of the federation and astir the world,” Jeff Zients, the White House coordinator for COVID-19 effect efforts, said during a quality briefing Monday.

Officials said the vaccination rate, which includes civilian and subject personnel, shows the authorities won’t spot disruptions this vacation season. At the aforesaid time, it’s unclear however the estimated 350,000 unvaccinated workers mightiness impact authorities operations, according to ABC News.

The vaccination complaint varies by bureau and location. For instance, the White House unit is estimated to beryllium 99% vaccinated, ABC News reported. Vaccine hesitancy is expected to beryllium higher among borderline patrol units and national situation workers.

Now agencies volition statesman a counseling process to promote workers to get a shot, Zients said. Leaders person been fixed leeway to determine the adjacent steps.

“To beryllium clear, the extremity of vaccination requirements is to support workers, not to punish them,” Zients said. “So tonight’s deadline is not an endpoint oregon a cliff. We proceed to spot much and much national employees getting their shots.”

The White House Office of Management and Budget is expected to merchandise much details Wednesday, including a breakdown of vaccination rates by agency.

Numerous agencies person precocious compliance rates, Zients said Monday, meaning employees person either received a changeable oregon filed for an exemption oregon extension. That includes 93% of the Transportation Security Administration, 98% of the Internal Revenue Service, 99% of the Federal Aviation Administration, 99% of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and 98% of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The Biden medication has besides required employees of authorities contractors to beryllium vaccinated by Jan. 4. Private employers with 100 oregon much employees person been ordered to guarantee their workers are vaccinated by past oregon look play testing, though a national appeals tribunal has enactment the vaccine request connected clasp for now.

“Looking astatine the national workforce vaccination information makes 1 happening obvious: Vaccination requirements work,” Zients said. “They promote much radical to get vaccinated.”