Tom Hals

(Reuters) – On Wednesday, a U.S. judge ruled that Maine may allow religious exemptions from its mandate that all state healthcare workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. This decision came a day after a New York judge had ordered that such exemptions be allowed to New York’s mandate.

U.S. District Judge Jon Levy, Bangor, Maine, said that the plaintiffs are allowed to adhere to their religious convictions, but they will lose their jobs if the vaccine is refused by them.

Levy, who was nominated in his place by the former President Barack Obama, stated that workers did not show Maine officials an animus against religion or that they had no compelling reason to enforce the vaccination requirement.

Vaccines in the United States have fallen out of favor. Only 66% are currently vaccinated. That’s far less than the goal of the Biden administration.

The Maine governor Janet Mills announced the requirement on August 12. Although exemptions are allowed to be granted for medical reasons only, Maine’s governor Janet Mills announced the requirement on Aug. 12.

Healthcare workers challenged the plan. They claimed they are against COVID-19 vaccines, as some vaccines were created from cells of aborted foetuses. The workers sued several companies in the healthcare industry where they worked.

Maine eliminated religious exemptions from mandatory vaccines in 2019. The law was overturned by the voters who rejected it with overwhelming support. Levy explained that COVID-19’s vaccine mandate was consistent with state law. It does not discriminate between religions.

He said that New York’s original mandate allowed religious exemptions, but they were removed as time approached. Levy stated that New York allows religious exemptions for other mandatory shots.

Minimum 24 states have mandated vaccines for workers in at least one state, most often to be used in health care.