COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

An interview with Prof. Dorit Reiss

With COVID-19 vaccinations lagging, some states, universities, and other businesses have turned to vaccine mandates, requiring employees and or customers be vaccinated. In contrast, other states like Arkansas, Montana, and Utah have passed legislation restricting vaccination requirements. Professor Dorit Reiss of UC Hastings Law explains the constitutionality of vaccine mandates and the open question of whether vaccines approved under emergency use authorization or "EUAs" may be mandated. She explains the divergent paths states, employers, and universities have taken and the mounting legal challenges against each of these laws and policies.


  • Attorney CLE accreditation 

Additional Resources and References

FDA Approval of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine – On August 23, 2021 (subsequent to this interview), the FDA approved to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to people 16 or older. 

California Vaccine Mandate – Jul 26, 2021, the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

Office of Legal Counsel Memo on Vaccine Mandates under an Emergency Use Authorization – July 6, 2021, The Department of Justice

Klaassen v. Trustees of Indiana University – United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana South Bend Division (2021)

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd et al v. Rivkees, M.D. – United States District Court, Southern District of Florida

Bridges, et al v. Houston Methodist Hospital et al – United States District Court, Souther District of Texas

Jacobson v. Massachussets – Supreme Court of the United States (1905)

Prof. John J. Donohue III discusses Analyzing Death - Race and Bias in Capital Punishment
Analyzing Death - Race and Bias in Capital Punishment
Prof. Jeffrey Rosen discusses Government Surveillance: Privacy & Technology
Government Surveillance: Privacy & Technology
Phillip Miller discusses Jailhouse Law—Lawyering from Inside Prison
Jailhouse Law—Lawyering from Inside Prison
Prof. Richard H. Fallon, Jr. discusses Justice Forever – Life Tenure
Justice Forever – Life Tenure
Prof. Richard H. Fallon, Jr. discusses Justice Forever – Life Tenure  (Part 2)
Justice Forever – Life Tenure (Part 2)
Prof. Daniel Capra discusses Police Power and Personal Rights
Police Power and Personal Rights
Prof. Daniel Capra discusses Police Power and Personal Rights (Part 2)
Police Power and Personal Rights (Part 2)
Prof. John J. Donohue III discusses Regulating Guns: Smart Laws & Dumb Laws
Regulating Guns: Smart Laws & Dumb Laws
Prof. John J. Donohue III discusses Regulating Guns: Smart Laws & Dumb Laws (Part 2)
Regulating Guns: Smart Laws & Dumb Laws (Part 2)
Judge Andrew Napolitano discusses Replacing Scalia - Filling a Vacancy on the Supreme Court
Replacing Scalia - Filling a Vacancy on the Supreme Court
Judge Andrew Napolitano discusses SCOTUS 2016 - A Year without a Justice
SCOTUS 2016 - A Year without a Justice
Prof. Glenn Cohen discusses Selling Human Organs
Selling Human Organs
Scott Skinner-Thompson discusses Sexual Privacy and Government "Outing"
Sexual Privacy and Government "Outing"