By Charles Young, WV News
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., who served as governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, was lauded at that time for encouraging West Virginians to get vaccinated against the virus.
While noting respect for those hesitant to get the vaccine, Justice received his shot live during a press conference and promoted initiatives aimed at encouraging Mountain State residents to get vaccinated.
More than five years after the pandemic began, vaccines are again at the center of the national conversation. There is an ongoing legal battle over West Virginia’s school vaccination policy; Florida recently announced plans to end all vaccine requirements for children; and Oregon, Washington and California announced plans to launch their own immunization guidelines.
Justice, now a freshman senator navigating Washington, told WV News he remains an advocate for vaccination and listening to the advice of medical experts.