Oregon Vaccine Deadline For State Workers, 100s Still Need Shot

GRESHAM, OR — It's deadline day for most state workers and county workers in most parts of the state to get their vaccinations against COVID-19. Workers either have to show proof of vaccination, be granted an exemption, or risk losing their jobs.

If a worker has not been granted an exemption or is one of the few who have been given an extension until November 30, and they still don't get a shot, chances are that Tuesday they will be unemployed.

As of Friday, nearly 90 percent of workers under the mandate have been vaccinated or received a religious or medical exemption.

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Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury said that the mandates are necessary for two reasons: to set examples and to mitigate risk.

"Multnomah County cares for people in crisis," she said. "We work with seniors, people with disabilities, individuals in detention, and with families needing health services.

"Our community needs to know we are doing everything we can to keep them safe and to end this pandemic."