Biden announces new vaccine mandates

President Biden has announced a series of COVID-19 mandates that mark his administration's latest effort to curb the spread of the disease.

Employers with 100 or more workers will need to mandate COVID vaccinations for employees or have unvaccinated employees tested for the virus weekly, according to the new requirements. They will also be required to give employees paid time off to receive the vaccine. According to the White House, this will impact over 80 million workers in the private sector.

Per an executive order signed Thursday, COVID-19 vaccinations are now required of all federal employees and contractors.

Vaccines will also be mandatory for all those who work at a healthcare facility that uses Medicare and Medicaid, expanding on previously announced regulations around vaccine requirements for nursing home employees.

In addition, Biden called on states to require that all school employees be vaccinated. Several states, including Illinois and Washington, do have vaccine mandates for education staff.