More than 90% of U.S. federal officials had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, in accordance with the obligation now in place, the White House said as the deadline expired.
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“95% of the 3.5 million federal employees are in compliance, and 90% are already vaccinated” with at least one dose, said at a press conference Jeff Zients, the coordinator of the fight against the pandemic at the White House.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the 5% difference was for people who applied for an exemption (approved or under review).
President Joe Biden had signed a decree on September 9 requiring officials to be vaccinated, without the possibility of escaping the syringe by being tested regularly.
The White House had given employees of the federal state until November 22 to comply with this new health obligation.
FBI staff complied with 99%, detailed Jeff Zients, and that of the US tax authorities (IRS) at 98%, with “nearly 25% of IRS employees having been vaccinated after the announcement of the president ”, he welcomed.
For those who have not yet put themselves in order, “a process of education and advice” will begin, the White House said.
“The goal is to protect workers, not to punish them,” said Jeff Zients.
The Biden administration has also implemented an obligation to vaccinate against COVID-19 in private companies with more than 100 employees, but this decision has been suspended by the courts.