Shortly after the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning COVID vaccine mandates.
The order was issued Wednesday, two days after the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine for those 16 years and older.
Abbott’s new order follows his April order in prohibiting state agencies, government entities and businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. However, in April, the order mentioned vaccines administered under an “emergency use authorization” and the new one does not.
The new order says, “no governmental entity can compel any individual to receive a COVID 19 vaccine”.
Abbott added that state lawmakers should be the ones making decisions on the applicability and legitimacy of state-imposed vaccine mandates.
Vaccine requirements and exemptions have historically been determined by the legislature, and their involvement is particularly important to avoid a patchwork of vaccine mandates across Texas.
Gov. abbott
On the same day, District Court Judge Tonya Parker issued a temporary injunction when she ruled against Abbott’s mask mandate ban.
Last week, Abbott tested positive for COVID during a surge of cases in Texas despite being vaccinated. The governor said he had no symptoms and four days later he tested negative.
