Although the FDA has granted only emergency approval for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines from the FDA, the FDA is expected to give its full approval soon to Pfizer.
The Biden administration has stated that the federal government will not mandate vaccinations beyond the federal workforce, but is increasingly urging state and local governments as well as businesses to consider such mandates. Fauci is President Joe Biden’s chief medical advisor. He stated that “mandates at local level are necessary” in order to stop the spread of the virus.
“I hope, I don’t know — I hope it will be within a few weeks,” Fauci said. Fauci stated that he hoped the FDA approves the vaccine within the month. If that is the case, then you will see local enterprises empowered, with mandates that could include colleges, universities, or places of business. I strongly support this. It’s now. “We have to do more to get people vaccinated.”
Fauci’s comments come as the Biden administration is weighing what levers it can push to encourage more unvaccinated Americans to get their shots as the delta variant continues to surge through much of the United States.
Biden approved new rules that require federal workers to show proof of vaccination. Biden is also awaiting a formal recommendation from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on potentially requiring U.S. troops to get vaccinated.
At a time when prominent companies informed employees of coronavirus vaccination requirements, and some localities have already adopted or are considering vaccine requirements for indoor dining, the administration has been more vocal in supporting vaccine mandates.
United Airlines informed its employees that they will need to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 25 or five weeks after the FDA grants full approval to one of the vaccines — whichever date comes first.
Walmart and Disney have both announced vaccine mandates to white-collar workers. Microsoft, Google, and Facebook also stated that they will require proof for vaccination for all employees and visitors to their U.S. office. Tyson Foods also announced that all U.S. employees will be required to get vaccinated before November.
There has also been resistance.
The U.S. Supreme Court last week was asked to block a plan by Indiana University to require students and employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is the first time that the high court has been asked for its opinion on a vaccine mandate. It comes as many corporations, states, and cities are considering or have already adopted vaccine requirements for employees or students.
Randi Weingarten, President of American Federation of Teachers Union, stated on Sunday that she supports a mandate for vaccines for educators.
Weingarten stated that vaccine mandates should be supported by employers and not a matter of conscience. He estimated that about 90% of AFT members have been vaccinated.
On Sunday, Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health all but supported vaccine mandates. He said, “I celebrate when businesses decide that they will mandate that for employees.”
Collins stated, “Yes, I believe we should use every public health instrument we can when people die.”
Fauci and Weingarten spoke to NBC’s Meet the Press, and Collins appeared on ABC’s This Week.
