Many individuals faced legal consequences for violating COVID-19-related public health orders, which included vaccine mandates.
In the U.S., while states possess the legal authority to mandate vaccinations and impose penalties for non-compliance, actual instances of incarceration solely for vaccine refusal are exceedingly rare. Legal experts have noted that although states can enforce vaccination through fines or other measures, imprisonment for vaccine refusal has not been a common practice .
One notable case involves former Army 1st Lt. Mark Bashaw, who was convicted in 2022 for disobeying COVID-19-related orders, including testing and mask mandates. While he was convicted, he did not receive a prison sentence. In 2025, he was pardoned by President Donald Trump .
In Canada, there have been instances where individuals faced legal repercussions for breaching COVID-19 public health measures, but not specifically for refusing vaccination. For example, Manitoba pastor Tobias Tissen was fined for violating gathering restrictions during the pandemic . Similarly, Alberta pastor Artur Pawlowski was fined and placed on probation for disobeying court orders related to public health directives .
Public opinion on punitive measures for the unvaccinated has varied. A 2022 poll indicated that 27% of Canadians supported jail time for unvaccinated individuals, though this did not translate into widespread legal action .
While legal frameworks in some jurisdictions allow for penalties, including incarceration, for non-compliance with public health mandates, actual instances of individuals being jailed solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine are extremely rare and not reflective of widespread policy. |
