Gov. Greg Abbott had issued an emergency order last month banning vaccine mandates in the state for any vaccine approved for emergency use only -- which was the case for the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines. Following FDA approval of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on Monday, Abbott issued a new emergency order on Wednesday to keep the mandate in place. He also directed the Legislature to address vaccine mandates in the current special session.
Here’s a look at what’s in the order:
--Cities, counties, school districts, public universities and public hospitals are banned from requiring vaccines.
--Any public or private entity that receives or will receive public funds through grants, contracts, loans, or other taxpayer money is banned from requiring proof of vaccination.
--Neither public nor private entities, if the private entities currently or soon will receive taxpayer funds, may limit attendance or receipt of services only to people with vaccination cards. Abbott’s order also noted that the Legislature previously enacted a ban on vaccine passports used by business to deny service to the unvaccinated. Private businesses can require vaccines for employees; Abbott’s order does not address that.
--Nursing homes and other congregate-care facilities for the elderly and disabled can continue to require “documentation of a resident’s vaccination status for any COVID-19 vaccine.”
What’s next:
Abbott also added to the special legislative session agenda currently under way the issue of whether state or local governments can require people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and what exemptions should apply. He said the Legislature has historically determined vaccine mandates and exemptions and should do so in this case to avoid a patchwork of mandates across the state.
Some public entities may decide to go ahead with their mandates or challenge the governor’s order. San Antonio ISD, which has a vaccine mandate for employees, said Wednesday it will move ahead with its plans despite Abbott’s order.
