West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R) said on Sunday there was “no chance” he would impose COVID-19 vaccination on schoolchildren.

Moderator Margaret Brennan asked the governor of West Virginia on CBS’s “Face the Nation” if he was considering making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for students in light of a similar order from the governor of California. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomOvernight Health Care – Brought to you by Altria – Merck’s COVID-19 pill cuts hospitalization risks in half Balance / Sustainability – Presented by American Petroleum Institute – A Nobel Prize for Greta Thunberg? California To Make COVID-19 Vaccine Mandatory For School Children After FDA Approval PLUS (D).

“No chance”, responded justice.

When asked why the state had previously mandated other vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and polio, Justice replied that he “really” believes that the warrants only do divide us and only divide us further “.

“From a mandate perspective, I don’t believe in imposing our freedoms over and over again. And I said that, I don’t know how many times I have to say it, ”Justice told Brennan. “But from the perspective of our children, I will always encourage them in any way because I really believe that the more people we get vaccinated, the less they will die. But at the same time, we must always stand up for who we are. “

“For shouting out loud, we are Americans,” he added.

that of West Virginia @JimJusticeWV says there is “no chance” that he will impose a vaccine mandate on students in his state.

“I really believe that mandates only divide us and only divide us more,” he said.

WATCH -> pic.twitter.com/PAhfAg8Xig

– Face the Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 3, 2021

COVID-19 cases in West Virginia are currently higher than they were this summer. The state saw more than 1,600 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and nearly 2,000 the day before. By comparison, cases were in double digits in parts of June and July, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 56 percent of the state’s population aged 12 and over have been at least partially immunized while 47 percent are fully immunized. In comparison, 76 percent of people aged 12 and older are at least partially vaccinated in the United States, while 65 percent are fully vaccinated.

Newsom recently announced that it will make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all students. Its order would apply to students aged 12 to 17 first, once the Food and Drug Administration fully authorizes it for that age group.