Vaccine requirement exemptions move forward

As deployment of the various COVID-19 vaccines accelerates, some Tennessee lawmakers are working to prevent residents from being required to get the shot — to varying degrees of success and despite state officials’ declaration that no such mandate was forthcoming.

The bill with the most momentum — House Bill 13/Senate Bill 187, sponsored by Republican Sen. Janice Bowling and Republican Rep. Bud Hulsey — seeks to “prohibit state and local authorities from forcing, requiring or coercing a person to receive an immunization or vaccination for COVID-19 against the person’s will.” The Senate Education Committee approved the measure on Wednesday, cheered on by a crowd of anti-vaccination protestors. It is still making its way through the House committee system.