WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has refused to block a plan by Indiana University to require students and employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Barrett gave no reason for the decision.
Her action Thursday comes in response to an emergency request from eight students, and it marks the first time the high court has weighed in on a vaccine mandate.
Previously, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld the requirement.
The attorney representing the students said they were disappointed by the decision, but vowed to fight on.
"Our appeal of the denial of the preliminary injunction is not effected by this ruling on the request for an emergency injunction and will continue," attorney James Bopp Jr. said.
College officials across the country have struggled with whether to require vaccinations, with some schools mandating them and others questioning whether they have legal authority to do so.
Some corporations, states and cities have adopted vaccine requirements for workers or even to dine indoors, and others are considering doing so.
