COVID-19 vaccinations are administered in a drive-up facility at Banner South. From January 25, 2021.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors is undecided on the question of requiring some county employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
With increasing numbers of people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, county supervisors Tuesday considered whether to require vaccination for some employees, such as jail officers, who come face to face with a lot of vulnerable people. Supervisor Rex Scott was firmly in the yes category. "My preference is that we require that all employees be vaccinated, and then deal with requests for accommodations as they come up," Scott said.
Supervisor Adelita Grijalva would rather reward employees for doing the right thing than punish them for not doing it. "I do think that the incentives, sort of like the carrot as opposed to the hammer, I think are going to be much more well-received," she said.
For now the question is only in the discussion phase. Administrator Chuck Huckelberry says the county has already added vaccination to the list of steps that will earn a discount on an employee's health insurance, like exercising and quitting tobacco. But he doesn't want to take it further without supervisors' approval.
Also in Tuesday's meeting, the board approved more aid to those facing eviction and struggling to pay rent and utilities.
The county will allocate $8 million of federal relief funds to its Eviction Prevention/Emergency Rent and Utility Relief Program, and another $2 million to support legal services for residents facing eviction.
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