George M. Chuzi
, a partner with Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (KCNF DC), authored an article in Law360 discussing the vaccine requirements the federal government has tried to impose on the workforce and the exceptions for medical or religious reasons.
There have been several challenges to the religious exemptions, but few have been successful. However, on January 3, a Texas federal judge blocked the Navy from disciplining a group of Navy SEALs who refused the COVID-19 vaccination on religious grounds. Chuzi provides examples of prior cases and discusses both the court’s reliance on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the scope of the First Amendment.
Chuzi believes the future of the mandate in the military will be up to the Supreme Court, noting that “The Supreme Court has long affirmed vaccine requirements adopted to deal with serious illness.”
Read the full article “Navy Vaccine Religious Exemption Ruling Warrants Scrutiny” here.