County health official criticizes pushback against vaccine mandate

The St. Joseph County deputy health officer calls the fight against a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate, "political theater". 

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and Governor Eric Holcomb have both said they're taking actions against the federal vaccine mandate for companies with 100 employees or more. 

In a statement, St. Joseph County deputy health officer Dr. Mark Fox tells ABC57, "This resistance to the federal mandate is a disheartening example of political theater. The mandate includes provisions for individuals who choose not to get vaccinated, and which serves to protect their health and the health of co-workers and customers. Such resistance will delay our opportunity to resume a level of normalcy in our workplaces and daily lives."

Federal agency and department heads can begin enforcing President Joe Biden's vaccine mandates for its employees early next month, according to new guidance from the US Office of Personnel Management.