COVID vaccine mandate set for county employees

The Fairfax County Health Department hosted a mobile COVID vaccine clinic at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale earlier this month.

Beginning this fall, all Fairfax County employees will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or submit to weekly COVID testing as a condition of employment, the Fairfax County government announced Aug. 20. 

Employees who request an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or religious reasons will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement.

The requirement comes shortly after Fairfax County Public Schools established a vaccine mandate for staff.  

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last month directed County Executive Bryan Hill to explore whether there should be a vaccine mandate for county employees.

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“We know vaccinations save lives and that these vaccines are safe and effective,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay. “Throughout the pandemic, we have focused on measures to keep our employees and our community safe, and this is another key piece of that effort. As one of the largest employers in Virginia, and one that has successfully and consistently stressed to our residents the importance of being vaccinated, we must practice what we preach.”

“We join organizations, including Fairfax County Public Schools, public universities, privately held companies, and our federal and local governments, taking these measures to help protect employees and the public from this significant health threat,” said Hill. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is free and widely available, with many places offering same-day appointments and walk-in service. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find a location near you or make an appointment through the Fairfax County Health Department.