The question of whether individuals can be required to demonstrate they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate in various activities such as school, public events, travel, or even work has moved from the largely academic to the urgent with the FDA’s announcement of final approval of the Pfizer vaccine. An increasing number of employers, educational institutions, healthcare institutions and others in both the public and private sectors are mandating vaccines.
Vaccine mandates raise important factual, legal and constitutional issues as to whether those who assert religious objections to being vaccinated can or should be granted an exemption or accommodation. Our distinguished panel of practitioners who are counseling clients on these daunting issues discuss the legal issues and practical problems in a quickly changing area that pits profound challenges to public health against the core national value of upholding religious freedom.