“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense against the virus, but should remain voluntary and never forced,” Governor Greg Abbott said.
By Nathan Munn
October 12, 2021
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has issued an executive order banning any form of vaccine mandate in the state.
According to the official statement, once the order comes into effect “no entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination by any individual, including an employee or consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID-19.”
“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense against the virus, but should remain voluntary and never forced,” Governor Abbott said.
On October 11, Texas counted 5448 mew cases of the coronavirus and 63 deaths of people infected with COVID-19, with the 7-day average of cases at 7232.
Abbott has been a vocal opponent of vaccine mandates during the pandemic.
The executive order represents a challenge, in some ways, to the vaccine mandate for federal contractors, healthcare workers and most federal employees enacted by President Biden.
The decision to ban vaccine mandates in Texas comes as protests against vaccine mandates and vaccine passports continue to simmer around the world, including in the United States.
I issued an Executive Order prohibiting vaccine mandates by ANY entity in Texas.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 11, 2021
I also added the issue to the Special Session agenda.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, & our best defense against the virus, but should always remain voluntary & never forced. pic.twitter.com/8hHHLyebCk
Reuters: TEXAS GOVERNOR BARS ALL VACCINE MANDATES IN STATE
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 11, 2021