Federal Worker Vaccine Mandate Shows Promise With Increasing Vaccination Rates

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for U.S. government employees appears to be reaching its goal, with more than 90% of workers receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, according to a federal agency breakdown released by the White House last week.

As of November 23, approximately 92% of the 3.5 million federal workers have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, 96.5% of workers have complied with the order by becoming fully vaccinated, receiving an exception, or submitting a request for an exception that is pending.

Compliance was highest among the Department of Transportation (99.6%), followed closely by the Department of Commerce (99.4%).

Among federal departments with the majority of workers receiving at least one vaccination, the Agency for International Development topped the list with 97.8% of workers receiving at least one dose. The Department of Health and Human Services (96.4%) and the National Science Foundation (96.2%) placed second and third, respectively.

The Department of Agriculture had the lowest vaccination rate of the two dozen agencies listed, with 86.1% of employees receiving at least one shot. Only five other agencies had vaccination rates under 90%, including:

• Social Security Administration: 87.7%
• Department of Veterans Affairs: 87.8%
• Department of the Interior: 88.3%
• Department of Homeland Security: 88.9%
• Department of Justice: 89.8%

The federal vaccine mandate for private employers with 100 or more workers remains on hold, pending an appeal to the federal court.