Auburn University and the University of Alabama System have paused enacting their COVID-19 vaccine mandates after federal courts halted the mandate put in place by the Biden administration earlier this year.

Late Tuesday, Auburn University announced its decision for the “pause.”

“[Tuesday] morning, a federal judge issued an order that prohibits the federal government from enforcing its vaccine mandate for federal contractors, including universities,” the statement read. “Given this development, Auburn is pausing enforcement of its vaccine policy. We will continue to monitor legal challenges to the most recent court order and communicate any further modifications in response to legal developments.”

“The university’s face coverings policy remains in effect,” it continued. “Further guidance will be shared prior to Dec. 17.”

The University of Alabama System, which includes both the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and UAB in Birmingham, also suspended its mandates based on the federal court ruling.

Southern District of Georgia Federal Court Judge R. Stan Baker issued a preliminary injunction halting the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for all federal contractors.

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.