WATCH: GOP Governor Admits Vaccine Mandates Work But “I Don’t Think We Ought To Be” Enforcing

Data suggests that vaccine mandates are an effective means of reaching herd immunity, which in turn is the most effective means we have of protecting a population from an epidemic. However, there’s a movement to prevent vaccine mandates from being established or taking effect, even by some who can admit they recognize the effectiveness.

Governor Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) appeared on NBC Sunday morning to discuss pandemic matters, including mandates established by corporations and governments to promote vaccination rates. When host Chuck Todd showed him statistics proving that mandates have boosted vaccine acceptance, Hutchinson acknowledged the evidence that mandates work, but still said that he opposes mandates imposed by government.

NBC's Chuck Todd shows Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) evidence that vaccine mandates work.

Hutchinson, who effectively passed a new law allowing employees to opt out of vaccine mandates responds: "Absolutely, it does indicate that." pic.twitter.com/Pp51svonkj

— The Recount (@therecount) October 17, 2021

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He acknowledges that mandates make a difference not only in business but in healthcare, but still concludes that they’re the wrong way to go — though Hutchinson also says that he’s against the government forbidding corporations from imposing vaccine mandates by their own choice.

“Let me make it clear that when I say I don’t think we ought to be engaged in mandates, I’m speaking of the government mandates, whether it’s a Federal government mandate or a state government mandate. And the states are sometimes coming in and saying, employers should not have the ability to impose a vaccine requirement on their workers.”

Hutchinson is in the minority here — according to a Gallup poll, the majority of Americans (granted, a narrow majority, and with a partisan divide) support the Biden Administration in enforcing these mandates for larger companies, as well as healthcare workers and federal employees.