Augusta University is responding to rulings by federal courts that have pressed pause on vaccine mandates for federal contractors and health care workers and private companies with more than 100 workers.
The latest ruling came Dec. 7 when Judge Stan Baker in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Georgia in Augusta issued a preliminary injunction against enforcing the vaccine mandate.
The action came on a lawsuit filed by several states, including Georgia and South Carolina, challenging the mandate, saying it is unconstitutional because it violates the 10th Amendment.
“The rule of law has prevailed, and liberty is protected. When the president oversteps his authority, the law is thankfully there to halt his misuse of power,” South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said.
Previously, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccination requirement for health care delivery environments — like hospitals and clinics — was challenged in court, and a stay was issued by a federal judge.
“As such, Augusta University is suspending its previously announced vaccination deadlines until further notice. As the litigation around the vaccine requirements progresses through the courts, the situation may change,” said AU President Dr. Brooks Keel.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has now been identified in more than 20 states including Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Public Health has confirmed the first in-state case was an individual who recently traveled from South Africa, developed mild symptoms and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Genomic sequencing confirmed the presence of the Omicron variant.
An earlier case connected to Georgia was identified on Dec. 3. That individual was a Georgia resident who is visiting New Jersey and tested positive there for the omicron variant.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has reported no cases of the variant have been identified in the Palmetto State.
While health officials continue working to determine whether current vaccines will be effective against omicron, Pfizer released results of a laboratory study that shows three doses of its vaccine provided significant protection against the variant.
“Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it’s clear from these preliminary data that protection is improved with a third dose of our vaccine,” said Albert Bourla, Pfizer chairman and chief executive officer.
On Dec. 9, the Food and Drug Administration authorized booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 16 and 17 at least six months after their original two-shot series.
“Since we first authorized the vaccine, new evidence indicates that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 is waning after the second dose of the vaccine for all adults and for those in the 16- and 17-year-old age group,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
“As people gather indoors with family and friends for the holidays, we can’t let up on all the preventive public health measures that we have been taking during the pandemic,” said acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock.
The CDC has concurred with the FDA authorization and is now recommending booster shots with the Pfizer vaccine for 16-to-17-year-olds.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
