Despite public outcry, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta voted unanimously Thursday, Oct. 20, to add COVID mRNA vaccines to required childhood immunizations.
The CDC can’t force vaccine mandates for school children. However, individual states can force the vaccines based on the CDC’s recommendations.
The following is a list of governors who will not comply with the CDC’s recommendation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the CDC’s vote on Thursday.
“I just want to let everyone be clear. You know, as long as I’m around and as long as I’m kicking and screaming there will be no Covid shot mandates for your kids. That is your decision. That is your decision to make as a parent.”
As long as I am Governor, in Florida there will not be a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for children in our schools. pic.twitter.com/oDXAj3c4Oy
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 20, 2022
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
Gov. Glenn Youngkin tweeted that Virginia will not adhere to the CDC mandates.
COVID-19 mandates should be in our rear view mirror. The decision to vaccinate a child against COVID-19 is for Virginia parents to make about what’s best for them and their family. We will not adhere to these @CDCgov mandates.
In Virginia, parents matter.
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) October 21, 2022
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
“Nothing is changing in Wyoming and kids are not required to receive a COVID vaccine to attend school,” Gov. Gordon said.
Regardless of any recommendations made by the CDC, nothing is changing in Wyoming and kids are not required to receive a COVID vaccine to attend school. I will not mandate COVID vaccines for children, and believe COVID-19 vaccination is a personal choice.
— Governor Mark Gordon (@GovernorGordon) October 20, 2022
Utah Governor Spencer Cox
“Utah will not be implementing any CDC mandate of the COVID-19 vaccine for children,” Gov. Cox tweeted.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
Regardless of what the CDC says, as long as I am governor, we will never force kids to get a COVID vaccine to go to school.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) October 20, 2022
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds
“The Covid vaccine remains available to those who want it, but it should never be mandated! We passed legislation to prohibit schools, colleges and daycares from doing so,” Gov. Reynolds tweeted.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
“Here in Alabama, the parents make decisions when it comes to their children’s health care. We do NOT mandate the covid shot for kids – nor will we ever,” Gov. Ivey wrote.
Here in Alabama, the parents make decisions when it comes to their children’s health care. We do NOT mandate the covid shot for kids – nor will we ever. #alpolitics
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 20, 2022
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
Gov. Lee tweeted: “TN families won’t be impacted by today’s CDC vote. We’ll continue to stand for TN children & for personal freedom.”
I’ve always said mandates are the wrong approach, & TN has led in pushing back on federal covid vaccine requirements.
Thanks to our work with the General Assembly, TN families won’t be impacted by today’s CDC vote. We'll continue to stand for TN children & for personal freedom.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) October 20, 2022
Missouri Governor Mike Parson
“As long as I am Governor of Missouri, I will do everything under my authority to never let the federal government mandate COVID vaccines in our schools,” he wrote.
As long as I am Governor of Missouri, I will do everything under my authority to never let the federal government mandate COVID vaccines in our schools.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 20, 2022
According to National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) at least 20 states have banned the COVID vaccines from being included in school mandates as of October 3, 2022.
