Hennepin County Passes COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate For Its Workers

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MN — The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners Tuesday moved to require county employees, contractors, and volunteers to show proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccine Oct. 1, 2021.

Workers who refuse to get the vaccine must comply with regular, mandatory COVID-19 testing.

The mandate comes as the highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus brings a surge in new cases and hospitalizations. On Tuesday alone, 3,054 new cases of COVID-19 were reported. A month ago on this date, 129 cases were reported.

"The vaccines are safe, and highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death," Hennepin County Public Health Director Susan Palchick said in a news release.

"Every person who gets vaccinated gets us closer to ending the pandemic."

Anyone who gets vaccinated at a Hennepin County vaccine clinic or event is given a $50 Visa gift card by the county. This is on top of the $100 reward given by the state of Minnesota.

"We are proud to join the growing coalition of employers in Minnesota who are requiring vaccination," said Board Chair Marion Greene.

"By taking this action we hope to strengthen community norms around vaccination, and keep our employees and residents safe and healthy."