Some in GOP seek to stop vaccine mandates

Special session on issue is not currently planned

Some Republican state lawmakers are continuing to push for top state officials to take action to block private businesses from requiring their employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Six GOP lawmakers, members of Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights and other critics of vaccine mandates held a brief rally at the Oklahoma state Capitol on Tuesday to decry COVID-19 vaccine requirements at four local hospital systems and other businesses.

Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, said he’s talked with legislative leaders about a possible special session to address the issue.

It appears unlikely lawmakers will return to the Capitol to take up legislation on vaccine mandates before the start of the 2022 legislative session in February.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Kevin Stitt said the governor is not planning on calling a special session. Spokesmen for House Speaker Charles McCall, RAtoka, and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, did not comment on questions about a possible special session.

CHRIS LANDSBERGER/THE OKLAHOMAN Sen. Jake Merrick, R-Yukon, center, speaks to the media as a group gathers during a rally in opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates at the Oklahoma Capitol on Tuesday.