Which states are banning vaccine mandates?
The controversial mandate move is coming under attack from Republican governors who argue that they are an unnecessary overreach into people's lives.
The Biden administration is pressing ahead with vaccine mandates after the FDA fully approved the Pfizer vaccine. Now it is no longer just for emergency use, the federal has an easier time demanding organizations to have a mandate. Some federal organizations such as the military and federal workers have vaccine mandates, and more are expected.
Mandates are not limited to government and private companies have begun to impose their own. Disney and Goldman Sachs announced after the FDA approval that they will be imposing mandates on their staff, and those who don't get vaccinated risk disciplinary measures.
Which states are banning vaccine mandates?
Arizona - Governor Doug Ducey has issued orders that the state cannot order people to prove vaccination states to enter businesses and buildings. However, healthcare institutions still retain the power to demand vaccinations.
Arkansas - the state has prohibited businesses mandating vaccination as a requisite for employment, whether for people in jobs or for those looking for them.
Florida - Governor Ron DeSantis has prohibited businesses from stopping people entering who are not vaccinated.
Georgia - Governor Brian Kemp said no state agency can require coivid-19 vaccination proof
Indiana - Governor Eric Halcomb has signed a law stopping anyone from requiring a covid-19 vaccine for anything
Montana - Governor Greg Gianfote signed a bill that prohibits businesses from 'discriminating' against people who are not vaccinated, whether workers or customers. Individuals can also refuse vaccines that have not been fully approved by the FDA.
New Hampshire - Republican Gov. Chris Sununu inked a bill stating that employers may only mandate immunization as a condition of employment when a "direct threat" exists. Hospitals are exempt from this rule.
North Dakota - Governor Doug Burgum signed a bill prohibiting state government entities from requiring a private business to obtain documentation to verify an individual's vaccination status. The bill exempts healthcare organizations from the ban.
Oklahoma - Republican Governor Kevin Stitt issued an order prohibiting state agencies from requiring that people show proof of vaccination to enter public buildings. The order doesn't apply to employees working in patient-facing settings.
Tennessee - Governor Bill Lee signed a bill that prohibits a state agency, department or political subdivision from mandating covid-19 vaccines.
Texas - The state has prohibited employer vaccines.
Utah- Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill that prohibits state agencies from requiring people to get a covid-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. This doesn't apply to hospitals or for those professions that require vaccinations to perform the job.
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Why are vaccine mandates coming into force?
Vaccination is currently the best way to safely protect people against the virus, thus allowing them to return to some aspects of normal life. Fully approved vaccines give the authorities more leeway when demanding federal organizations to have vaccine mandates.
The spread of the Delta variant has put the US's reopening into doubt and the authorities want to keep cases down as the country heads into winter, when hospitalizations are traditionally high even without covid-19.