COVID-19 vaccine availability update
Dear OCEA member,
The County has received its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine - both the two-part Pfizer brand vaccine and the two-part Moderna vaccine – intended for distribution to frontline workers across the County employed by hospitals, clinics, and the County itself. OC Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau told the press the County had received approximately 74,000 doses by the initial rollout this week. However, according to Dr. Chau, there are approximately 200,000 health care workers in Orange County.
What does this mean for County workers performing essential work in the midst of record-setting infection rates?
The plan for distribution of the available doses among County workers remains a work-in-progress. I want to assure you OCEA is not taking a wait-and-see approach. We are monitoring the situation closely in direct contact with County CEO Frank Kim.
The County has advised us that, at this time, the COVID-19 vaccine will be voluntary for County workers. Additionally, we have been advised that the vaccination priority is the Orange County Jail - a congregate living facility where infection rates among inmates and staff have reached critical levels. It's also important to remember that the priorities for vaccine distribution are not set by the County alone and include guidance and recommendations from advisory committees at both the state and federal level.
As always, your safety and that of every OCEA member and their families is our first concern. We will remain in contact with the County CEO's Office and your agency’s human resource managers concerning the vaccination rollout and communicate to you as events dictate.
Please share any concerns you have about workplace safety to your OCEA Steward or Labor Relations Representative.
The pandemic of 2020 is unprecedented, but we know from experience that safety can't be guaranteed by a policy, PPE or a manager. Workplace safety is achieved when OCEA members stand together to identify and resolve workplace issues.
In Solidarity,
Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager
Publication Date: December 24, 2020
