A Washington senator is pushing for a law that prevents what he calls "discrimination against people who do not get the coronavirus vaccine," according to KING 5.
Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, announced the proposed bill last Thursday (December 17) for the upcoming legislative session. The law would also prohibit COVID-19 vaccinations from being mandatory. This means employers, schools and other entities cannot deny people if they do not get the vaccine. "Vaccination could also not be required for traveling on planes, trains and buses," reporters learned.
The lawmaker claims the legislation is "pro-individual rights" rather than pro- or anti-vaccine.
"Nowhere is the coercive power of government more intrusive than on this issue," Ericksen said in a statement. "We don’t require flu shots and we shouldn’t require COVID shots. Often people forget that our constitution puts the rights of the individual first. We shouldn’t trample on it in a rush to vaccinate."
The legislation is still being drafted, but Ericksen plans to introduce it before legislative sessions begins on January 11.
Washington started receiving shipments of Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine last week. Over 120,000 doses of Moderna's recently-approved vaccine is expected to arrive in the state this week.
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