On Fridays, USDA will share the CDC’s COVID-19 community levels to guide masking protocols for the following week. The CDC COVID Community Levels and masking protocols for the week of Sunday, April 10, through Saturday, April 16, 2022, are here. The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Guidance on masking can be found here.  
 
USDA is aware of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit opinion regarding Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. There are still procedural steps that need to take place to lift the injunction; at this time, the district court’s preliminary injunction remains in effect. USDA will continue to take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 until further notice that the injunction has been lifted.

For the latest version of the USDA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan, please visit our website. The Frequently Asked Questions On USDA’s Response to COVID-19 Workplace Safety has been updated. The latest version can be found here.

Data continues to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. For adults and adolescents eligible for a first booster dose, these shots are safe and provide substantial benefit. During the recent Omicron surge, those who were boosted were 21 times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who were unvaccinated, and seven times less likely to be hospitalized. This week’s Big Three focuses on recent CDC recommendations on booster shots.  

Sincerely,

The Future of Work Taskforce

1. The CDC recently updated their recommendations on booster shots. What should I know about their recommendations?

CDC updated its recommendations to allow people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster. In addition, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. These updated recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations, including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with underlying medical conditions, along with the currently available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness.

While USDA encourages all employees to be up to date on their vaccinations, USDA employees that are eligible for a second booster are not required to receive a booster at this time. USDA’s Proof of Vaccination Survey is being modified to allow for employees to enter second booster dose information. We will provide an update on this as it becomes available. 

2. Can I receive administrative leave to receive my COVID second booster shot?

Yes. Supervisors may grant leave-eligible employees up to four hours of administrative leave to receive a COVID booster shot (first or second doses). If an employee needs to spend less time getting the booster shot, only the needed amount of administrative leave should be granted. Additional time may be granted for extenuating circumstances such as the distance to the vaccination site. Employees may only receive administrative leave during their normal work hours and may not receive administrative leave or overtime work for time spent getting a booster shot outside their tour of duty. Administrative leave of up to two days is authorized if any employee has an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 booster dose (i.e., no more than two workdays for reactions associated with a single dose).

3. Can I receive my second booster shot at the Health Unit in the South Building? (This is intended for USDA Employees in the National Capitol Region only)

Yes. Booster shots (first and second doses) are available at the USDA Health Unit. Please call (202) 720-9522 to make an appointment. The Health Unit is located in Room 1411 (first floor, wing 4).

The Big Three: Part 12

To the extent this policy may constitute a change in a condition of employment for bargaining unit employees, agencies/offices will implement it in accordance with the terms of their current labor agreement and 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71. If you are a bargaining unit employee and have questions regarding the content of this message and its potential impact on a current labor agreement, please refer them to your local union representative.