Gov. Abbott Issues EO Banning Vaccine Mandates By Any ‘Entity In Texas’

On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order that bans COVID-19 vaccine mandates from being implemented by any “entity in Texas”, which includes private businesses. 

This follows the Governor’s previous order banning vaccine mandates by state government officials and entities and further underscores his intention to prevent any type of forced requirements in Texas.

The governor also urged state lawmakers to pass a similar ban into law.

Governor Gregg Abbott issued an executive order Monday, prohibiting the enforcement of a vaccine mandate. He's now asking state lawmakers to pass a similar bill into law. https://t.co/Jtw82vesEv

— KWWL (@KWWL) October 12, 2021

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Abbott: ‘No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee or a consumer’

The new rule means that Texas groups and businesses cannot ask others they interact with to require proof of vaccination or refuse them for “any reason of personal conscience.” 

Abbott’s efforts are seen as a reaction to President Joe Biden’s mandate announced in September that businesses with 100 or more employees must require vaccinations or test weekly.

Abbott’s executive order reads, “No entity in Texas can compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine by any individual, including an employee or a 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,” Abbott also said. 

In August, Abbott issued an executive order that banned any government entity from instituting mandates. This new order extends that ban to all businesses, including private ones.

Some speculate that Abbott’s latest executive order is political, as he will be facing a 2022 primary challenge from former Republican congressman Allen West who is currently in the hospital due to contracting Covid.

West says that his condition has made him “more dedicated to fighting against vaccine mandates.”

5/ I can attest that, after this experience, I am even more dedicated to fighting against vaccine mandates. Instead of enriching the pockets of Big Pharma and corrupt bureaucrats and politicians, we should be advocating the monoclonal antibody infusion therapy.

— Allen West (@AllenWest) October 10, 2021

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Allen West and his wife both tested positive for Covid

West tweeted on Sunday, “I can attest that, after this experience, I am even more dedicated to fighting against vaccine mandates. Instead of enriching the pockets of Big Pharma and corrupt bureaucrats and politicians, we should be advocating the monoclonal antibody infusion therapy.”

West’s wife has also tested positive for Covid. Both received the monoclonal antibody infusion therapy over the weekend. 

In August, Gov. Abbott tested positive for the virus.