{"id":80747,"date":"2021-08-26T14:12:29","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T18:12:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=80747"},"modified":"2021-08-26T14:12:29","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T18:12:29","slug":"texas-governor-bans-local-governments-from-ordering-vaccine-mandates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/stateofthenation.co\/?p=80747","title":{"rendered":"Texas Governor Bans Local Governments From Ordering Vaccine Mandates"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas governor bans local governments from issuing COVID-19 vaccine mandate despite FDA approval<\/h1>\n

Abbott also adds vaccine mandate ban on special session agenda<\/h3>\n

KSAT<\/p>\n

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\"Texas<\/div>
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attends a security briefing at the Weslaco Department of Public Safety DPS Headquarters on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 in Weslaco, Texas. Gov. Abbott says that he has tested negative for COVID-19, four days after testing positive. He said in a video clip he tweeted on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 that he’s been told his infection was brief and mild because he was vaccinated. (Jabin Botsford\/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)<\/span>\u00a0(The Washington Post)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Governmental entities in Texas can no longer mandate any coronavirus vaccination despite Pfizer\u00a0receiving full FDA authorization<\/a>\u00a0earlier this week, according to a new executive order signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The new executive order goes further than the previous one did, which banned coronavirus vaccine mandates that were only authorized under emergency use. The order also applies to businesses that partner with the state but does not extend to private businesses, nursing homes, state-supported living centers and long-term care facilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cVaccine 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,\u201d Abbott said in a news release.<\/p>\n

Abbott suspended multiple sections of the\u00a0state health code<\/a>\u00a0to enforce his mandate.<\/p>\n

The executive order will likely upend San Antonio ISD\u2019s COVID-19\u00a0vaccine mandate<\/a>, issued earlier this month. In a statement, district officials said they will move forward with their mandate regardless. The district was the first in the state to require vaccinations.<\/p>\n

Abbott also added the vaccine mandate issue in the special session, meaning the Texas Legislature can consider and pass legislation pertaining to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.<\/p>\n

The directive may invite legal challenges like his previous executive order, which banned local governments from requiring masks in public schools. Bexar County successfully sought an injunction in court, preventing enforcement of that order and allowing the county to mandate masks in schools.<\/p>\n

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg criticized the order, in a statement sent to KSAT 12 News.<\/p>\n

\u201cConfusion is the enemy of emergency response, and the governor is excelling at it,\u201d Nirenberg said. \u201cMask up, get vaccinated, protect yourself and those around you. It\u2019s as simple as that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the executive order below:<\/i><\/p>\n

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