County mandates first responder vaccinations or weekly test protocol

First responders and people who transport others for medical reasons must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by Dec. 21 or wear masks in the presence of patients and residents and test weekly, according to a new health order from the Alameda County health officer.

The order, issued Tuesday, is meant to protect medical patients in high-risk medical care settings and applies to law enforcement, firefighters, 911 ambulance transport workers and workers involved in non-emergency medical transport.

A Covid-19 booster shot is not currently required to be considered fully vaccinated, county public health officials said.

The new order applies specifically to people who enter high-risk health care facilities such as general acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and among others, adult and senior care facilities. A full list of high-risk health care facilities can be found in the state’s Aug. 5 public health order. 

Employers may require first responders and medical transport workers to be fully vaccinated and not give workers the option to test and wear a mask.