The Tompkins County Legislature moved to force the county’s employees to get vaccinated- or face mandatory COVID-19 testing.
The mandate was approved and go into effect within the next two months. It was passed by a 9-2 margin.
“With the Delta variant sweeping through and the cases going up again, we felt it was really important that the county set an example and does the right thing,” said Legislator Rich John during the session.
The county’s current vaccination percentage among workers is around 70%. Officials want to see that number push higher.
“We know that the Delta variant is 83, 84% of what we are currently seeing,” said Dr. William Klepack, the Medical Director for the county.
“It would be wonderful if we could get our population in Tompkins County up to the level, that the Delta variant and any other variant might come next, can’t reproduce and travel,” John added.
Opposition to the vaccine vote came down to making it mandatory, as opposed to asking.
It takes effect October 1.
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