Greg Abbott of Texas issued a broad executive order on Monday that bars virtually any vaccine mandate in the state.
Mr. Abbott, a Republican, has been among the most vocal political leaders in the United States against vaccine mandates. His latest executive order includes private employers, which had been exempt from previous edicts against the mandates.
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 religious belief, or medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID - 19, the order states. I hereby suspend all relevant statutes to the extent necessary to enforce this prohibition. The order acknowledges that vaccines are strongly encouraged for those eligible to receive one, but must always be voluntary for Texans.