Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Texas school superintendents that the COVID-19 vaccine cannot be requested as part of school admission requirements.
Instead, the Texas law overturns a recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation that added the vaccine to immunization programs for adults and school-age children.
In letters to TEA Commissioner Mike Morath and school superintendents across the state, the governor explains that his Executive Order GA-39, issued on August 25, 2021, allows Texas parents to opt out of the COVID-19 vaccine for their children. children and further empowers parents to be the primary decision makers in their children’s health care.
Additionally, the Texas Legislature has allowed parents to opt out of vaccinations for health and conscience reasons through a number of statutes, including the Texas Education Code, the Texas Health and Safety Code, and the Texas Human Resources Code.
“Despite attempts to federally bias Americans’ health care decisions, we in Texas continue to honor and defend the freedom of parents to choose what is best for the health and well-being of their families,” the letter said. .
“Regardless of what the CDC suggests, in Texas, the COVID-19 vaccine is still voluntary. Texas schools will not require students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for any reason,” Abbott said.
While recent CDC recommendations do not create a federal immunization mandate, many schools rely on CDC guidance in developing school admission requirements for students.
Governor Abbott’s letters to TEA leaders and school superintendents reaffirm his executive order banning immunization warrants and immunization passports, as well as Texas laws that allow parents to opt out of immunizations for religious or health reasons.
These are COVID-19, flu and RSV.
