thevaccinereaction--2020-08-31--Virginia Health Commissioner Wants to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine

Virginia ’ s Commissioner of Health Dr. Norman Oliver , MD said on Aug. 21 , 2020 that he intends to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all residents of Virginia as soon as a vaccine is available .
“ [ Coronavirus ] is killing people now , we don ’ t have a treatment for it and if we develop a vaccine that can prevent it from spreading in the community we will save hundreds and hundreds of lives , ” Dr. Oliver said.1 2 3 According to Virginia law , the state health commissioner has the authority to mandate vaccinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine is available.1 2 3 However , there is growing concern in Virginia over the idea of forcing people to get a COVID-1- shot or any vaccination against their will .
“ This is not a Republican or Democrat issue .
It ’ s not a pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine issue , ” says , Kathleen Medaries , Director of Communications for the non-profit Virginia Freedom Keepers .
“ [ Dr. Oliver ] shouldn ’ t be the one person to make a decision for all of Virginians.
” 1 3 4 VA Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vaccine Mandate Despite Dr. Oliver ’ s support for mandating a COVID-19 vaccine for Virginia , the position of the state ’ s Governor is unclear .
On Aug. 24 , Alena Yarmosky , spokesperson for Virginia Governor Ralph Northam , MD said the state ’ s physician Governor has no plans to mandate a COVID-19 vaccine in Virginia.5 Maria Reppas , spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health ( VDH ) sought to clarify Dr. Oliver ’ s position , pointed out that , “ When Dr. Oliver spoke of his support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was sharing his personal opinion as a physician.
” 5 She said that , “ Currently , the Northam administration has taken no official policy position on whether or not a COVID-19 vaccine for adults should be mandatory .
VDH regrets this error.5 Lois Shepherd , JD , Professor of Law and Biomedical Ethics at the University of Virginia , said , “ The government has broad powers in a public health emergency so that is the key here… would a mandatory vaccine be a reasonable measure to protect the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ If there were a mandatory vaccine , that doesn ’ t mean people would be held down kicking and screaming .
It means that there would be some kind of penalty for not getting a vaccine.
” 5 VA House Committee Rejects Bills to Allow Religious Exemption to COVID-19 Shot The Virginia Legislature voted this past spring to amend the state ’ s vaccination laws for daycare and school attendance to automatically mandate that children enrolled in daycare or school receive all current and future vaccines recommended by the federal Advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) after members of the politically appointed Virginia Board of Health vote to add the vaccines to school vaccine mandates.6 7 On Aug. 25 , 2020 , the Virginia House Committee on Health , Welfare and Institutions rejected bills that would have allowed state residents to opt-out of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for religious reasons .
Delegate Mark Levine ( D-Alexandria ) said : VA Families To Hold March Against Mandates in Richmond on Sept. 2 The Virginia Freedom Keepers and other freedom organizations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Against Mandates in Richmond , Virginia on Sept. 2 , 2020 in opposition to current COVID-19 related mandates and any proposed future vaccine mandates .
A rally will take place outside the Science Museum in Richmond from 10 a.m. to Noon Virginia has been under a state of emergency declaration issued by Gov .
Northam on Mar .
12 , 2020 that has included quarantines , masking requirements and closure of shops , restaurants , schools , offices and other public venues .
The protest march event announcement notes that the emergency law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ unilaterally mandate medical [ and ] other matters without consulting the will of the people.
” 8 9 The announcement further states :