Note the two things they’re saying simultaneously

1. They’re backing off of the efficacy of the vaccine. Despite their best efforts, the truth about the vaccine not being as effective as they claimed is out and trust in the vaccine is way down. They’re backing off slowly on pushing the vaccine because of the approaching elections and the poll numbers, not because the vaccine doesn’t work.
2. Those in purple areas are slowly speaking out against mandates. They fear for their jobs and their pensions, and are saying whatever is politically expedient. Don’t forget that the “science” hasn’t changed, only their opinions. The right has been pointing out for two years that the masks don’t work, and for about a year that the vaccine isn’t as effective as Pfizer and Moderna claim, yet these leftist politicians silenced us, asked social media platforms to ban us or censor us. Now that election time is coming up, they’re backing away from the mandates as well. Not only does the vaccine not work as advertised, but government is wrong for forcingit.

Don’t buy any of it, they’re all snakes.