Right now, COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for kids ages 12 and older because they have been shown to protect against severe disease and hospitalization. Vaccine mandates are meant to help slow the spread of COVID-19 to unvaccinated populations, including children who are too young to be vaccinated. While President Biden has called for state-level measures to ensure students are protected,
for masking and for vaccination requirements.
Mandates related to masks and/or COVID-19 vaccines are now in place in many public spaces. Many colleges and universities have mandated that their students get a COVID-19 vaccine, as they already require other vaccinations.
Here is a list of colleges that have the mandate in place. In addition, restaurants in
many cities and states also require proof of vaccination to access services.
Details for implementing the employer mandates are still pending. President Biden has
announced that all federal workers must be vaccinated, including employees and contractors throughout different branches of the government as well as workers in healthcare facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding. Additionally, per a recent executive order, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is developing a rule for employers with more than 100 employees to require that their employees are either fully vaccinated or are tested for COVID-19 weekly. However, as of the writing of this information, employers are still waiting for OSHA to
issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to implement this requirement.
You can apply to be exempted from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Exemptions can be granted for
medical or religious reasons. Contact the appropriate person or office for details on how to apply for exemptions in a school or work setting.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
The Sikh Coalition, in collaboration with the North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association (NASMDA), the Sikh Family Center, and the Jakara Movement, is working to ensure that all Sikh Americans have access to information and resources regarding vaccinations for COVID-19. While we are not a public health organization, we are pursuing this work so that we can all do our part to keep ourselves and our communities safe. Please email community@sikhcoalition.org with any questions about this work, and always consult your doctor with specific inquiries about your personal health.
