Federal COVID-19 Vaccine, Masking Mandates
Due to a federal court injunction, vaccine and masking requirements on campus have been lifted.
Updated: December 01, 2021Here’s what you need to know:
- The university is closely following the state of Tennessee’s legal challenge to President Biden’s Executive Order 14042, which applies to federal contractors, including UT Knoxville, and lays out requirements for vaccines and masks.
- On November 30, 2021, a federal district judge granted the states of Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky a preliminary injunction that–for now–prohibits the federal government from enforcing the executive order on federal contractors in those states.
- With the preliminary injunction in place, the university must comply with Tennessee law, which prohibits state institutions like UT Knoxville from requiring COVID-19 vaccines or the use of masks.
- All mask and vaccine requirements on campus have been lifted.
- Vaccines continue to be the most effective means of protecting yourself and others from serious illness related to COVID-19. Vaccines and boosters are available at the Student Health Center.
The university is closely following the state of Tennessee’s legal challenge to President Biden’s Executive Order 14042. As Chancellor Donde Plowman communicated on November 22, 2021, the executive order applies to federal contractors, including UT Knoxville, and lays out requirements for vaccines and masks.
On November 30, a federal district judge granted the states of Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky a preliminary injunction that—for now—prohibits the federal government from enforcing the executive order on federal contractors in those states.
What this means
As Chancellor Plowman communicated on December 1, with the preliminary injunction in place the university must comply with Tennessee law, which prohibits state institutions like UT Knoxville from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations or the use of masks.
As a result, all mask and vaccine requirements on campus have been lifted. Members of the campus community are asked to make whatever personal choices they think are best with respect to vaccines and masks while being considerate of the choices, health conditions, and requests of others.
The situation may change again as the legal process continues. The university will continue to keep the campus community updated.
Employees who wish to upload their proof of vaccination into IRIS can do so, but at this time it is not required.
Vaccines and boosters available at the Student Health Center
Vaccines continue to be the most effective means of protecting yourself and others from serious illness related to COVID-19. The Student Health Center welcomes walk-ins and has appointments available for vaccines and boosters. Retailers, hospitals, and pharmacies in the Knoxville area also offer vaccine and booster appointments. Find vaccination opportunities.