New York Prevails in City Workers' Covid Vax Religious Bias Case

Appeals court affirms dismissal of lawsuit over city's vaccine mandate

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:05pm

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Dozens of New York City government employees failed to revive their religious bias lawsuit over the city's Covid-19 vaccine requirements. The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the workers' claims, stating that the mandates 'were neutral laws of general applicability, and the City presents a rational basis for so mandating.'

Why it matters

This ruling upholds the city's ability to impose vaccine mandates on public sector workers, despite religious objections, as part of efforts to protect public health during the pandemic. The decision aligns with prior court rulings that have consistently found no constitutional right exempting individuals from vaccine requirements issued in the public interest.

The details

The lawsuit was brought by dozens of New York City government employees who claimed the city's Covid-19 vaccine mandate violated their religious beliefs. However, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the workers' claims, stating that the vaccine requirements were 'neutral laws of general applicability' and the city had presented a rational basis for imposing the mandate.

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2022.
  • The appeals court ruling was issued on March 16, 2026.

The players

New York City

The municipal government that implemented the Covid-19 vaccine mandate for its public sector workers.

US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

The federal appeals court that affirmed the dismissal of the religious bias lawsuit against New York City's vaccine mandate.

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The takeaway

This ruling upholds the authority of state and local governments to impose vaccine mandates on public sector workers, even in the face of religious objections, as part of efforts to protect public health during a pandemic. The decision aligns with prior court rulings that have consistently found no constitutional right exempting individuals from vaccine requirements issued in the public interest.