Administration orders to eliminate all records of COVID-19 vaccination of federal personnel

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a new directive to federal agencies to remove all records of their personnel's COVID-19 vaccination.

In its Friday directive, OPM stresses that such information cannot be used in making decisions about federal personnel: "Effective immediately, agencies are barred from using an individualʼs vaccine history in any employment-related decision, including hiring, promotion, discipline, or termination."

"Things got out of hand during the pandemic, and federal workers were fired, punished, or sidelined for simply making a personal medical decision," Scott Kupor, OPM director, said in a statement. "That should never have happened."

Agencies will be required to delete both paper and digital versions of any files that record the vaccination status of their employees if they failed to comply with a vaccination mandate or if they requested exceptions to those mandates.

State workers who wish to do so have 90 days to object to the deletion of their records.

In September 2021, then-President Joe Biden issued an executive order requiring federal employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, as well as another requiring health protocols for contractors and subcontractors. The Democrat revoked both orders in May 2023.

In a memo sent to department and agency heads, the Office of Personnel Management orders them to comply with the new guidance by Sept. 8.

Access the OPM memo to federal agencies