Chelan County Has No Plans to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination for Employees or Deputies

On the heels of the announcement that all state employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Chelan County commissioners share they will not be following suit for county staff or deputies.

"It's an individual choice by every person to choose to do that," said Commissioner Kevin Overbay. "I think to require or mandate a vaccination piece, there should be an alternative where if someone opts out, they should be able to do the testing piece."

Overbay added he forecasts potential negative impacts on law enforcement as well as employment shortages, particularly in the healthcare sector. Roughly 26% of Confluence Health staff haven't been vaccinated.

"We are already at a fragile state with the employment of medical workers in our community," said Overbay.

King County moved forward with a requirement for county staff to be vaccinated.