Maine Gov. Janet Mills reversed her position on mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for school children Thursday night during her third debate with former Republican Gov. Paul LePage.
On Monday night, when asked whether she supported mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for school children, Mills left open the possibility that she would impose mandates after the elections.
“No, not at this time,” she said, in response to a question about imposing the mandates.
During Thursday night’s debate, Mills struck a markedly different message, in substance and tone.
“No, because it’s still emergency use authorization,” she said, when asked a similar question.
She did not explain the sudden change in her position, nor did Newscenter Maine moderator Pat Callaghan ask her to explain the flip flop.
Although Mills’ latest answer on mandating the COVID-19 vaccinations for school children is more definitive than her answer earlier in the week, her most current answer still leaves open the possibility that she will force public school children to receive the mRNA injections if the shots receive full FDA approval and are no longer under emergency use authorization.
The COVID-19 shots were still under emergency use authorization when the Mills Administration declared that they would be mandated for all healthcare workers in the State of Maine.