The governor Pedro Pierluisi and the Secretary of Health, Carlos Mellado López, celebrated on Monday the dismissal of the federal case that sought to declare unconstitutional the Executive Order that made vaccination mandatory in public employees.
After an extensive parade of witness and scientific evidence, Federal Judge Pedro Delgado, validated Administrative Bulletin OE-2021-058 and dismissed all claims against the Government of Puerto Rico.
“I am extremely satisfied that, today, the Federal Court has validated our vaccination mandate against COVID-19. It is precisely these types of measures in favor of vaccination that have made Puerto Rico an example to follow worldwide in our handling of the pandemic. This can be seen in the low numbers of infections and hospitalizations that we have seen in recent weeks “, said the president in written statements.
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In his decision, Judge Delgado recognized that the Government has a compelling interest in controlling the deaths and hospitalizations caused by this virus. He also recognized that vaccination is the least onerous measure to effectively address this interest.
“The local and federal courts have validated the actions of the Governor and the Department of Health to effectively manage the pandemic. We continue to focus on getting the greatest number of Puerto Ricans vaccinated and protected from this terrible disease, ”said Mellado López.
Regarding claims related to religious freedom, the court stated that it was not necessary to include a religious exception in the vaccination mandates.
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“Although the Court indicated that it is not necessary to include a religious exception in the vaccination mandates, as a Government we have respected that religious exception. However, we will continue taking the necessary measures, those people who are not yet convinced to get vaccinated, do so, “said the Minister of Health.
“The Department of Health continues to carry out initiatives to vaccinate people who have not yet been vaccinated. They are also reinforcing the vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna and in the next few days, they will begin the vaccination of children from 5 to 11 years old. We are confident that we can continue to be a global model for vaccination, ”Pierluisi concluded.
Another lawsuit challenging the executive orders for mandatory vaccination for private employees is pending before Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach. Both the governor and the secretary were confident that they will prevail in that lawsuit as well.
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