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Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced an executive order banning COVID-19 vaccination warrants regardless of a vaccine’s approval status with the United States Food and Drug Administration.
He also said he was adding the issue to the agenda for the current special session of the Texas Legislature.
The order comes two days after the FDA granted full approval for the Pfizer vaccine. This raised questions about the fate of a previous Abbott ordinance that banned vaccination warrants, but only for those subject to emergency clearance.
Abbott’s latest order is straightforward, saying that “no government entity can compel an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.” The ordinance preserves exceptions for places like state-subsidized nursing homes and nursing homes.
Vaccine FAQs
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Who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas?
All people 12 years of age and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 can receive the Pfizer vaccine, but COVID-19 vaccines are not required for Texas students.
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Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
State and local health officials say the vaccine supply is healthy enough to meet demand in much of Texas. Most drugstore chains and many independent pharmacies have a supply of vaccines, which is administered free of charge and mainly without an appointment. Many private doctor’s offices have it as well. And you can check out the current lists of major vaccination centers that are still operating here. The public health services also have vaccines. You can register with the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler online or over the phone. And businesses or civic organizations can set up their immunization clinics to offer it to employers, visitors, customers, or members.
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Do I still need to be vaccinated if I have had COVID-19?
Yes. Medical experts recommend that people who have had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated. If a person’s treatment included monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, they should talk to their doctor before making an appointment for a vaccine. The CDC recommends that people who have received these treatments wait 90 days before getting vaccinated.
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Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Yes. Health experts and public officials widely agree that the vaccine is safe. The three currently approved vaccine manufacturers – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – said their vaccines were 95%, 94% and 72% effective in protecting people against serious illness, respectively. Although no vaccine is without side effects, clinical trials for Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson show that serious reactions are rare.
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More information on vaccines
At the same time, Abbott has called on lawmakers to consider legislation indicating whether state or local governments can issue vaccine warrants and, if so, what exemptions should apply.
“Vaccine requirements and exemptions have historically been determined by the legislature, and their implication is particularly important in avoiding a patchwork of vaccine mandates across Texas,” Abbott said in a statement.
Lawmakers are currently in their second special session and time is limited to move forward on the 17-item agenda previously announced by Abbott. The House finally restored a quorum last week after Democrats staged a nearly six-week protest against the GOP’s election bill.
Abbott’s latest order regarding vaccine requirements, released on July 29, stated that “no government entity can compel an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine administered under an authorization for the use of emergency”. While there is a new state law that served as a safety net for Abbott’s previous order if a vaccine was fully approved, it was not as sweeping as the order and left the door open for new ones. mandates.
There specifically appeared to be new potential for cities, counties and school districts to require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The San Antonio Independent School District had previously announced mandatory employee vaccination, which led to legal action from Attorney General Ken Paxton.
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