WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (Florida-02) released a statement following the Biden Administration’s announcement of a new COVID-19 vaccination rule that would require private businesses with 100 or more employees, health care workers, and federal contractors to be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022.

“The Biden Administration’s aggressive push to vaccinate all Americans by force is making an already devastating workforce shortage even worse. While I recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine, I also believe that this is a decision to be made by you and your doctor – not the federal government,” said Congressman Dunn. “Thousands of hardworking Americans are at risk of losing their jobs thanks to this unnecessary mandate. The unnecessary strain on our health care industry is horribly shortsighted and will result in reduced access to care, which is the last thing we need right now. Currently, 70% of adult Americans are now fully vaccinated and COVID-19 cases are decreasing. If President Biden wants this trend to continue, he must focus on an expanded strategy incorporating natural immunity research and effective treatments.”

The Biden Administration’s new vaccination policies include the following:

• An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirement for employers with 100 or more employees to ensure each of their workers are fully vaccinated or tests for COVID-19 on at least a weekly basis. The OSHA rule will also require that these employers provide paid time for employees to get vaccinated, and ensure all unvaccinated workers wear a face mask in the workplace.
• A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirement that health care workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid are fully vaccinated. The rule applies to more than 17 million workers at approximately 76,000 health care facilities, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

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