South Columbus News

GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci is opposing Gov. Mike DeWine’s advocacy for the state’s National Guard troops to be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

National Guard members across the country have been ordered to be vaccinated by the Biden administration, leading several GOP governors to note such mandates will not be followed in their states.

DeWine was not one of those. In contrast, he said he was “not happy” with the guardsmen’s reluctance to get the jab, CantonRep.com reported.

“Mike DeWine has been a career politician for over 40 years,” Renacci said in a press release. “If there's anyone whose decision-making about their own personal health he should respect, it should be Ohio's National Guard members. Instead, he unnecessarily threw them under the bus to the press as part of his Fauci-inspired vaccine campaign after calling them up to serve around Christmas time,” Renacci said.  

The federal government has set a June 30 deadline for National Guard members to be vaccinated or suffer consequences such as suspension in pay and dismissal. So far, 56% of Ohio’s force has followed the command.

Renacci said the state’s military members should not have to succumb to such pressure to be vaccinated.

“As governor, I will respect every single Ohioans' right to medical freedom, especially those who are answering the call to serve,” Renacci said. “I will never use my position to shame you for your personal health decisions. To Ohio's National Guard, I say: Thank you for your service and thank you for your help!”

The Statehouse News Bureau reported that DeWine’s criticism of National Guard members comes as he has activated units to assist with hospitals in the wake of the omicron COVID-19 variant.  

Several academics have criticize the push for total vaccination.

Harvard Professor Martin Kulldorff, an epidemiologist and infectious-disease expert, wrote in March 2021 that “thinking that everyone must be vaccinated is as scientifically flawed as thinking that nobody should. COVID vaccines are important for older high-risk people, and their care-takers. Those with prior natural infection do not need it. Nor children.”

According to Pew Research, the majority of Americans oppose forced immunization for everyday use of public facilities, with 88% saying “There’s too much pressure on Americans to get a COVID-19 vaccine” and 81% responded yes to “We don’t really know yet if there are serious health risks from COVID-19 vaccines”. Another 81% agree with the statement that “Public health officials are not telling us everything they know about COVID-19 vaccines.”