State and Local Authority and a COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate: A Fact Sheet for Advocates and Local Public Officials

Public health experts have begun to discuss and publish guidelines for how best to distribute a vaccine to account for a limited supply, the needs of different populations, and the inherent ethical and equity issues associated with such medical interventions. State and local governments will have roles to play in the fair, safe, and ethical allocation of a new vaccine. At some point, elected officials and public health agencies may even consider vaccine mandates as part of a public health effort to achieve herd immunity and reduce COVID-19 contagion. This fact sheet provides an overview of state and local government authority to regulate and potentially require vaccination.