Vaccine Mandate

Ohio State University is no longer requiring students, faculty and non-hospital staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The change is in response to vaccine policy changes at the federal level and to remain compliant with state law.

Supporters of the ballot issue are one step closer to being able to collect petition signatures for their "Medical Right to Refuse" amendment.

Opponents of vaccine mandates are taking on a new fight in the Ohio Statehouse with a bill that would do away with incentives or penalties for businesses that are based on requiring their employees to get vaccinated.

MetroHealth was the first healthcare system in Cleveland to require the shot for staff back in October, and hospital officials told Ideastream Public Media on Thursday that 11 employees have been terminated for refusing to comply with the vaccine mandate.

A federal judge in Texas has blocked President Biden's vaccine mandate for federal workers nationwide. The requirement had been in place since November.

Ohio was the leader of the 27 Republican-run states that opposed the mandate and brought it to the high court. Attorney General Dave Yost said the ruling protects individual rights and freedom.

But the court upheld a separate mandate for almost all employees at hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers that receive federal funds.

Ohio and 26 other Republican-led states have sued to stop the mandates, saying OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is overstepping its authority.

The two cases are in a preliminary posture, but how the court rules will very likely signal how these issues are ultimately resolved.