The Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, which means Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's vaccine mandates is now in jeopardy.
The governor issued an executive order Aug. 25, which prevents mandating the vaccines in the Lonestar state. The governor also stated that the question of whether or not vaccine mandates can be enforced by state or local government entities is under speculation and will be added to the Special Session agenda.
"Vaccine mandates are also being added to the Special Session agenda. Vaccine requirements and exemptions have historically been determined by the legislature. Their involvement is particularly important to avoid a patchwork of vaccine mandates across Texas," Abbott wrote in a tweet.
On Aug. 23, the acting commissioner of the FDA, Dr. Janet Woodcock, released a statement where she said Pfizer's vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality that the FDA sets for a product to be approved. Abbott's executive order was passed after the FDA released this statement.
"The FDA's approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic," Woodcock said.
According to the order from the governor, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have been exempted from his vaccine ban. The governor banned school districts and other government entities from enforcing compulsory mask requirements in the spring. On Aug. 24, he gave Texans some hope in a tweet stating that COVID cases have steadily declined for two weeks.
"The COVID seven-day positivity rate has now declined for two straight weeks. It topped out on Aug. 9 at 18.72%. Since then it has steadily declined to 15.76%. States hit earliest with Delta are now seeing a decline in COVID cases. Texas may soon see a similar decline in cases," tweeted the governor.
Even though the Pfizer vaccine has been fully approved, it is still not allowed for children under 12 years old.