US court reinstates Biden federal employee Covid vaccine mandate

A US appeals court panel on Thursday reinstated President Joe Biden's executive order mandating that federal civilian employees be vaccinated against Covid-19.

By a 2-1 vote, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction issued by a U.S. district judge in Texas in January that had blocked enforcement of the federal employee vaccine mandate. Biden said in September he would require about 3.5 million government workers to get vaccinated by November 22, barring a religious or medical accommodation, or face discipline or firing.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately comment. The Biden administration argued the federal trial court had no power to hear the dispute. The administration told the appeals court that employees were required to raise their grievance through the Civil Service Reform Act.