Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday issued an executive order maintaining the current policy prohibiting the mandating of any COVID-19 vaccinations by any government entity in the state.

In the order, Abbott said, “vaccine requirements and exemptions have historically been determined by the legislature, and their involvement is particularly important to avoid a patchwork of vaccine mandates across Texas.” “COVID-19 vaccines are strongly encouraged for those eligible to receive one, but have always been voluntary to Texans,” the order went on to say. This order comes just days after Pfizer’s vaccine was granted full approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.

However, this is not Abbott’s first executive order pertaining to the issue. The governor previously issued an executive order stating that no governmental entity could force someone to get the vaccine while it was under an emergency use authorization from the FDA.

Additionally, the governor added to the Special Session agenda the issue of whether any state or local governmental entities in Texas can mandate that an individual receive a COVID-19 vaccine and, if so, what exemptions should apply to such mandate.