White House defends moves to mandate COVID-19 vaccine

The White House is defending its plan to “mandate” the coronavirus vaccine for the federal government workforce by insisting employees will reserve the right not to receive a shot.

If federal staff and contractors decline to get a jab, there are other COVID-19 mitigation measures President Joe Biden’s administration can take, according to spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre. Earlier this week, she listed masking, social distancing, and testing requirements as options under consideration.