Mississippi’s new law has banned COVID-19 mandates

Mississippi is enacting a new law which will prohibit the state and local government agencies from withholding services and refusing jobs for unvaccinated people. Therefore, people who have opted not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be deprived from getting jobs.

Government will not force people for vaccination

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates and passports. However, this ban will apply to state agencies, city and county governments and schools, community colleges and universities. Although the COVID-19 mandate has not widespread in Mississippi but lawmakers said they were acting against the possibility of government overreach. “Government shouldn’t be in the business of forcing Americans to choose between the COVID-19 vaccine & putting food on their tables, sending their kids to school, or visiting a small business.” Reeves posted through his Twitter account.

Politically motivated move

Some other Republican-led states are also considering to enact similar laws to ban COVID-19 vaccination mandates. However, the experts believe that these the motivation behind these laws is to undermine Biden administration’s policy regarding vaccination mandates. Biden’s administration has made efforts that require vaccinations or testing by some employers, health care providers and federal contractors. Nearly, 3,000 staff of New York City lost their jobs for not following the vaccine mandate a few months ago.

No vaccine mandates for children

The Mississippi law specifies that children do not require COVID-19 vaccinations to attend school or day care. However, the children need to administer other childhood vaccines. Moreover, the law also specifies anyone in Mississippi can cite “a sincerely held religious objection” to avoid a public or private employer’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Public health officials say COVID-19 vaccinations do not always prevent illness. However, these vaccines are very effective in decreasing severe cases leading to hospitalization or death.

Mississippi has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States. According to Mayo Clinic vaccine tracker, only 52% of eligible state residents are fully vaccinated. Although the national COVID-19 vaccination rate is 66%.

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