COVID-19 Update Number

On October 7, 2021, the Board of Supervisors issued a countywide communication to all employees requesting that employees provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by October 15, 2021. We are pleased to report that 55 % of the County’s workforce submitted documentation that they have received the final dosage of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is incredible news and speaks to the continued commitment to the safety measures our employees have demonstrated throughout this pandemic.

While the fact that so many of our employees are vaccinated is celebrated, the reality is that COVID-19 will continue to pose a safety hazard until we all do our part by being vaccinated.

Therefore, in an ongoing effort to protect our employees and the communities we serve, all County of Alameda workforce members, as a condition of employment or future employment, are required to receive the final dosage of a COVID-19 vaccine no later than November 19, 2021, in accordance with the attached County of Alameda COVID-19 Workforce Vaccination Policy ("Policy").

Doing Your Part: As a County workforce member, you must complete one (1) of the following starting October 19, 2021, through November 19, 2021.

• Report your vaccination status in the County's Alcolink HRMS and upload your proof of COVID-19 vaccination (by following the attached Alcolink Job Aid). If you are unable to access or upload documents to the County’s Alcolink HRMS, you are required to complete the County's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Disclosure Form, attach your proof of COVID-19 vaccination and submit both documents to your Agency/Department Human Resources Office.
• Report your request for an exemption from the County’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy due to a qualified medical reason/disability or sincerely held religious belief in the County’s Alcolink HRMS and complete and submit the required documentation supporting your request to your Agency/Department Human Resources Office.

NOTE: Employees who have already submitted proof of vaccination, and provided certification that it is true and correct, are not required to resubmit proof. All employees who have not uploaded their proof of COVID-19 vaccination into the County's Alcolink HRMS or submitted the proof to their Agency/Department Human Resources Office by or before November 19, 2021, will be deemed "unvaccinated". Except for employees granted an accommodation as noted above, unvaccinated employees will not be in compliance with the Policy.

The County continues to work collaboratively with our labor partners to address any impacts of the Policy. This Policy is a key step in further ensuring the safety of our employees and the diverse communities we serve. Again, THANK YOU for doing your part to keep yourself, your colleagues and our communities healthy and safe!

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County Employees Vaccination Rate: County employees have in many ways, and for many years, reflected the communities we serve. Now, more than 80% of Alameda County's residents (12 years of age and older) are fully vaccinated. Our community continues to demonstrate their faith in the health protections COVID-19 vaccines provide. And, based on initial reports of the percentage of employees who voluntarily disclosed their vaccination status, we are heartened that approximately 55% of our employees confirmed that they are vaccinated. The requirement that all employees be vaccinated by November 19, 2021, will help ensure a safer workplace for us all.

Get the Facts: Like many other jurisdictions throughout California, COVID-19 cases, and hospitalizations in Alameda County are primarily among unvaccinated individuals. Statistics from the California Department of Public Health (available here: https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/) indicated that within a one (1) week period, from September 5, 2021, to September 11, 2021, unvaccinated people were 8.0 times more likely to get COVID-19 than fully vaccinated people. Vaccinating as many people as quickly as possible, is the best defense against COVID-19 and will help save lives in our communities and amongst our work force.

Get Vaccinated: Being vaccinated helps protect you, your loved ones, the public, and those with whom we share the work environment. This includes those in our workplace and communities who are more susceptible to the virus and/or are unable to be vaccinated. Vaccines are free and widely available and may be obtained through either your health care provider or a local pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc.). Appointments are also available online at https://covid-19.acgov.org/vaccines or myturn.ca.gov or by phone 1-833-422-4255 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thank you again for taking the single most important step necessary for our journey back to recovery. Stay safe and keep healthy.