City of Santa Monica Moving Towards Requiring Vaccines for its Workforce
July 27, 2021 4:57 PM
The City of Santa Monica is moving towards requiring that its municipal workforce receive the COVID-19 vaccine once approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This decision is part of the City of Santa Monica’s commitment to protecting the health of residents, customers, and City staff. The move comes as Los Angeles County experiences a steep surge in cases and as other government organizations roll out similar policies, including Pasadena, San Francisco, New York City, the State of California, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As public servants, emergency workers and first responders, this will align Santa Monica’s workforce with leading medical organizations, cities, and public agencies across the nation.
“Just as the City of Santa Monica is often a strong model in local government, we do all we can to safeguard the wellbeing of our Santa Monica community and dedicated City workforce,” said Interim City Manager John Jalili. “Vaccination is the very best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and every vaccination will make a measurable difference in our recovery.”
The City will be meeting with the labor organizations that represent the City’s diverse workforce to discuss the impacts of a mandatory vaccination policy. City leadership will continue to encourage the safe, free, and effective vaccine to increase voluntary compliance across the organization. Currently, 59% of the City workforce has reported they have been vaccinated. The City has coordinated seven vaccination clinics since March for the community and employees, and has facilitated the scheduling of hundreds of vaccination appoints for employees.
To make an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, visit vaccines.gov.
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Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov