US reports highest weekly COVID-19 vaccinations since July 4

A federal judge has declined to impose a temporary restraining order on New York City’s public school vaccine mandate, rejecting a request from special education teachers who were denied a religious exemption.

Michael Kane and nine other educators -- who all said they possess sincerely held religious beliefs that compel them to eschew any vaccine -- sought the temporary restraining order, claiming the mandate violates the free exercise and equal protection clauses of the Constitution.

The educators can try again during a hearing next week at which they’ll seek a preliminary injunction, accusing the state of “hostility” toward religious beliefs that may be outside the mainstream. 

New York City, the nation’s largest school district, is one of the first in the country to require school staffers to be vaccinated.

About 95% of the city’s 150,000 Department of Education employees have been vaccinated, including 96% of teachers and 99% of principals, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday.

About 8,000 replacement DOE staff members, including 7,000 substitute teachers, were used on Monday, which was the first day of the vaccination mandate.

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky

NIH Director Francis Collins announced that he's stepping down, saying in a statement that no person should serve for too long and it’s time to give space for the next generation of scientists to lead.

He was in the role for 12 years.

President Joe Biden in a statement called Collins "one of the most important scientists of our time."

Biden said he got to "know," "trust" and "lean on" Collins during his time as vice president, including when Biden led the National Cancer Moonshot.

Biden said he "was grateful" Collins "answered the call to serve" when Biden asked him to stay on at the start as his term as president, "even though it was asking him to stay on the job longer than anyone in NIH history."

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday submitted its request to the FDA for a booster shot for J&J recipients.

The submission includes data showing that a booster increased protection to 94% against moderate to severe/critical disease in the U.S. (Peak efficacy from one shot is 72% in the U.S.)

The FDA's independent advisory committee is holding a public hearing on J&J boosters on Oct. 15. The FDA may authorize J&J boosters after Oct. 15 and the CDC's recommendation could follow.

-ABC News' Eric M. Strauss

The Pentagon announced Monday that all of its civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22.

"Vaccinating (department) civilian employees against COVID-19 will save lives and allow for the defense of our nation," Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks wrote in a memo sent out to Pentagon leadership Monday. "Thank you for your focus on this critical mission."

There is already a vaccine mandate for military members, but each branch of service has its own deadline.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez