Workplaces Should Consider Requiring COVID-19 Vaccine, Bay Area Health Officials Say

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Some local Bay Area health officials say employers should consider requiring their employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Officials in Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties back idea amid increase in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated residents, no longer reported case of “breakthrough” in people who have been fully vaccinated.

The requirement could come with “very limited exceptions” for medical and religious reasons, Contra Costa Health Services added.

Several benefits flow from the requirement for COVID-19 vaccination, health services said. In San Francisco, that includes not having to force unvaccinated employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 to self-quarantine for 10 days.

“Workers not vaccinated against COVID-19 pose a significant health and financial risk to the workplace,” said Dr Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer. “Most importantly, workplace exposures have resulted in serious illness and death. “

Authorities recommend that workplaces document evidence by checking COVID-19 vaccination cards.

“Eight months since the administration of the first COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very effective and very safe, and are the most important tool we have available to prevent COVID-19 disease, hospitalizations and deaths, ”said Dr. Sara Cody, health official and director of public health for Santa Clara County. “We encourage employers to take strong action to promote safe workplaces against COVID-19 through vaccination and other workplace safety requirements. “

Employees who are not fully vaccinated are also required to wear face masks in the office.

Contra Costa Health Services said current state and federal labor law supports employers requiring documentation of immunization status, requiring vaccination as a condition of employment, and requiring additional safety precautions, including masking and frequent testing for unvaccinated employees.