ND leaders support court ruling on vaccine mandate

A federal judge has blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on health care workers in 10 states – including North Dakota.  The rule requires workers to receive their first dose by Dec. 6 and their second by Jan. 4.

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says the lawsuit is not about whether people should get vaccinated.  Stenehjem says it is about federal overreach and the federal government using an unconstitutional mandate to force front-line health care workers to choose between a vaccination and unemployment. “North Dakota is already experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers, and this mandate will only exacerbate the situation.”

Governor Doug Burgum added safe and effective vaccines remain the best defense against COVID-19 – but imposing unlawful mandates isn’t the solution.