Senate approves Theis bill to ban the state from requiring youths to get COVID-19 vaccine

Senate approves Theis bill to ban the state from requiring youths to get COVID-19 vaccine

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Tuesday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis that would prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services from requiring minors to receive a COVID-19 vaccination under emergency public health orders.

“After a year of the state asserting control over much of our lives, this is about protecting the rights of Michigan parents to decide what health care actions are best for their children and families,” said Theis, R-Brighton. “We have a long history of leaving important decisions to individuals, we should continue that personal choice. The government shouldn’t be able to force a child to get a COVID-19 vaccine, nor should getting the vaccine be required for a child to go to school or anything else.”

In addition to prohibiting DHHS from issuing emergency public health orders that require minors to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Senate Bill 457 would also ban local public health departments from issuing the same type of order.

SB 457 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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Editor’s note: The above photo is available by clicking on the image or by visiting https://www.senatorlanatheis.com/photos/.

Photo caption: Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, addresses the Senate on her legislation, Senate Bill 457, to ban state or local public health departments from requiring minors to receive a COVID-19 vaccine under emergency public health orders.

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