HomeLocal governmentCounty will require employees to be vaccinated before traveling on County business

County will require employees to be vaccinated before traveling on County business

July 23, 2021

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

In an email addressed to Alachua County employees, Heather Akpan, the Human Resources Director, wrote, “Going forward all employees traveling to County sponsored events (conferences, training etc.) must be vaccinated in order to attend. If you are already scheduled for an event and are not vaccinated, please contact me to discuss.”

The email also explained the County’s current policies:

  • Employees who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a mask or social distance.
    • Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of a 2-dose series OR two weeks after their single-dose vaccine.
    • If you are interacting with a member of the public and they request that you wear a mask, please comply.
  • Employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask and social distance when interacting with other employees or members of the public.
  • Employees are not required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, however the vaccine is strongly encouraged.
  • If employees have a good faith belief that employees are not following these policies, please contact Human Resources.
    • Employees may be required to demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination to Human Resources.

  • FDA makes it clear that Alachua County has no jurisdiction over individual’s right to accept or refuse an EUA vaccine

    U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION

    Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Explained

    How will vaccine recipients be informed about the benefits and risks of any vaccine that receives an EUA?

    “FDA must ensure that recipients of the vaccine under an EUA are informed, to the extent practicable given the applicable circumstances, that FDA has authorized the emergency use of the vaccine, of the known and potential benefits and risks, the extent to which such benefits and risks are unknown, that they have the option to accept or refuse the vaccine, and of any available alternatives to the product. Typically, this information is communicated in a patient “fact sheet.” The FDA posts these fact sheets on our website.”

    Source: https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/emergency-use-authorization-vaccines-explained

  • Why would they even be going on TAXPAYER funded trips?

    Many county employees aren’t even going to THEIR offices.

    Why should we pay extra for them to go SOMEWHERE else?

  • realtruth2020… In their minds, the travel is absolutely necessary. They are in a desperate search to find a county government more screwed up than ours so they can emulate them.

  • CBS Miami (7/26/21): Dr. Leon L. Haley Jr., CEO Of UF Health Jacksonville, Died After Personal Watercraft Accident. Lauded for his efforts in response to COVID-19, the CEO of UF Health Jacksonville died in an accident involving a personal watercraft over the weekend.

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