MYNORTHWEST NEWS

State reports 92% compliance after vaccine mandate deadline

Oct 19, 2021, 5:33 PM | Updated: Oct 20, 2021, 10:13 am

exemption...

(AP file photo/Wilfredo Lee)

(AP file photo/Wilfredo Lee)

At least 92% of state employees have shown proof that they’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or were approved for exemption, according to the state’s Office of Financial Management.

Get the full breakdown by department here.

The data shows that about 3% — or 1,887 employees — either left their jobs or were terminated because of the mandate, as of Oct. 18. Of that number, 79 people retired and 112 resigned due to the mandate.

The state reports that 56,590 employees (89.4%) verified that they’ve been fully vaccinated.

The OFM reports 4,943 employees requested a religious exemption. Another 1,295 people requested a medical exemption.

The state approved 964 medical exemptions; 40 were denied and 142 are pending. Of the approvals, 413 accommodations were made to place people into a role that prevents them from working directly with the public. Sixty-nine people were denied accommodations and thus, were let go.

Of the nearly 5,000 requested religious exemptions, 4,304 were approved, 208 denied, and 24 requests are pending. Of the exemptions, 1,514 accommodations were made to move people into a role that prevents them from working directly with the public. Pending accommodations are at 610, and 1,626 people were denied accommodation.

The total pending accommodations is about 4.6%, according to the OFM. There’s no guarantee that those employees will have a job.

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