![]() ![]() As we noted in a previous blog, in at least two earlier cases, the Supreme Court acknowledged the right to impose vaccination requirements on the general public. None of the freedoms in the Bill of Rights is unlimited they each have a point at which the right gives way. ![]() Constitution, which, among other things, pronounces that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” It’s the “free exercise” and “religion” parts that are at play here. To understand the principles involved in determining whether to grant religious exemptions, it’s important to recall the First Amendment to the U.S. ![]() because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.” According to the task force, “an agency may be required to provide a reasonable accommodation to employees who communicate to the agency that they are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Indeed, on September 16, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued clarifying guidance on the vaccine mandate, including the exemptions. The scope of this protection is important, because that language is commonly used to define those who can claim the religious exemption. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has adopted guidance that prohibits discrimination-treating an employee differently-based upon “his or her religious beliefs.” Specifically, the guidance notes that it protects not only members of “traditional, organized religions,” but also “others who have sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs.” What about the religious exemption? Who is eligible to claim it, and under what circumstances is the claim likely to be accepted? The short answer is: almost anyone can claim it, but not many will receive it. Still, a person with a sound medical reason to avoid the COVID-19 vaccine will probably be exempt. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not identified any “specific medical condition that would definitively bar a person” from being vaccinated, but neither has it confirmed the safety of the vaccine for persons with weakened immune systems or autoimmune conditions. These exceptions will be for medical or religious reasons. The federal government’s efforts to ensure that its workforce is fully protected from COVID-19, as employees return to the office amid the surge in Delta variant cases, have proceeded in fits and starts, culminating with President Biden’s September 9 executive order requiring “COVID-19 vaccination for all federal employees, subject to such exceptions as required by law.” Medical exemptions must be renewed prior to the start of each academic year. Please allow up to 10 business days for the College to review your application for an exemption, after it is fully submitted. Please complete the following forms if you are applying for a religious exemption from a primary series (meaning you have not received two doses out of a two-dose series or one dose out of a one-dose series): Religious Exemption from COVID-19 Vaccination Forms: Please note: applications for a religious exemption from a booster dose are not available. Booster Medical Exemption (Attestation Form)Īpply for this type of exemption if you have a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance that prohibits you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.Please complete the following forms if you have already received your primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine and are seeking a medical exemption from the booster dose: Medical Exemption From COVID-19 Booster Dose Forms: Please complete the following forms if you are applying for a medical exemption from a primary series (meaning you have not received two doses out of a two-dose series or one dose out of a one-dose series) : Medical Exemption From COVID-19 Vaccination Forms: Apply for this type of exemption if the vaccine may be detrimental to your health or is otherwise medically not advised as a course of treatment or procedure. ![]()
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