City Of Santa Monica Expected To Require Vaccine For Employees

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica could be the next city to require its employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine once it's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"This decision is part of the City of Santa Monica’s commitment to protecting the health of residents, customers, and City staff," officials said in a statement.

As COVID-19 cases surge, and other local governments and businesses adopt similar policies, Santa Monica is moving to do the same. The city will join Pasadena, San Francisco, New York City, the State of California and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which are all adding the requirement.

"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," officials said.

It's the next step in the ongoing public health crisis.

“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,” Interim City Manager John Jalili said in a statement. “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 meet with the labor organizations that represent the workforce to discuss the mandatory vaccination policy and potential impacts. City leadership will continue to encourage the safe, free, and effective vaccine to increase voluntary compliance across the organization.

Currently, 59% of Santa Monica's 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 appointments for employees.

Anyone who needs a COVID-19 vaccine can set up an appointment via vaccines.gov.

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