Federal agencies directed to delete employee COVID vaccination records and exemption requests

The Trump administration ordered federal agencies to permanently delete all COVID-19 vaccination records from employee files through a new OPM directive.

COVID-19 vaccine information will be deleted from federal employees' personnel files. (Raychel Brightman/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

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Former President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14043 in September 2021, directing federal agencies to require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of federal employment. 

After the controversial demand, numerous lawsuits were filed by federal employees, unions and states alleging the mandate violated constitutional rights and federal labor laws.

Agencies are barred from using a person's vaccine history or exemption requests in any employment-related decisions. (Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)

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In a memo to heads and acting heads of departments and agencies Friday, Kupor announced that, effective immediately, agencies are barred from using a person's vaccine history or exemption requests in any employment-related decision, including hiring, promotion, discipline or termination. 

Unless an employee affirmatively opts out within 90 days, all vaccine-related information must be permanently removed from both physical and electronic personnel files.

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Agencies must certify compliance with the memo by Sept. 8, according to the memo.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation and influence government response.

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