Yesterday The Epoch Times reported that Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has warned Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), located at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, that he will sue the college if it doesn’t change its vaccination policy.
The article reports:
“As I have previously stated, I intend to pursue legal action to protect the rights of Louisiana residents attending VCOM who have declared their objections to the coercive mandate to be vaccinated with an EU-approved [Emergency Use] vaccine,” he said.
Landry maintains that vaccine mandates violate state and federal law. He approached the college’s administration after several students said they were retaliated against for refusing to get vaccinated.
“These complaints have included recordings of conversations with VCOM staff engaging in harassing and coercive conduct targeting students who have exercised their right to opt-out of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine,” he said.
The medical school disputes the attorney general’s characterization of events and says it has acted in accordance with the school’s health and legal obligations.
“The intention of VCOM’s coronavirus vaccine policy, is and always has been the safety of our students, the safety of our employees and workplace, as well as the safety of the patients being cared for by our students, faculty and staff,” VCOM said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the policy was not accurately described in the letter, which was the first communication VCOM received from the Attorney General’s office,” the statement said. “From the beginning, VCOM has committed to remain compliant with the laws of Louisiana.”
The article concludes:
“The LSU Faculty Senate requests that PS–72 be revised to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all eligible students wishing to enroll in in-person classes or other events on campus or implement a similar requirement via another administrative policy or procedure,” the resolution reads.
Landry confronted LSU’s then-interim President Thomas Galligan and asserted state university employees and students are protected against mandated coronavirus vaccines because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not officially approved them.
The FDA is streamlining its vaccine approval process though it’s unlikely a finalized approval will come prior to LSU’s fall semester, which begins Aug. 9. ULM’s fall semester begins Aug. 16.
Landry gave VCOM until Friday, July 30, to respond to concerns outlined in his recent letter.
“It is my understanding that VCOM has advised it will determine whether the students’ objections meet VCOM’s standards sometime in the next two weeks. I would like to have an answer by close of business Friday or I will join in seeking legal protection for the students,” he said.
One important fact here is that the coronavirus vaccine does not have full approval by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration although it is approved for emergency use. What I expect to see now is a rush to approve the vaccine fully before the epidemic ends. It is puzzling to me why the government is so determined to give every American the vaccine when there is ample evidence that those who have recovered from Covid do not need it and the virus is not life-threatening to most Americans.