PHOENIX – The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to offer county employees effective and free time as incentives to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The board voted 4-1 to give workers $ 100 and a day of reconnaissance leave if they are fully vaccinated on Oct. 31.
Prior to the vote, President Jack Sellers said there has been much discussion about how to raise vaccination rates at county agencies without issuing a warrant.
He said some departments where employees are in regular contact with the public have “very low vaccination rates.”
“If we ever want to move forward and get this pandemic behind us, we need to do everything we can to encourage vaccination in this county, and this is a step toward that goal,” he said.
All part-time, full-time, classified, unclassified, contract and temporary employees are eligible, including workers who are already vaccinated.
The offer is good for the approximately 10,000 employees of Maricopa County’s elected offices, designated departments, flood control district and library district.
Supervisor Steve Chucri, one of the four Republicans on the board, was the only no vote. He said he believes the vaccine works, but opposes the policy because he believes getting vaccinated is “a very personal choice.”
“I applaud our human resources. I applaud our county administration and what they are doing, “he said.” It’s a personal thing for me in this case. “
Vaccinated employees will have until November 10 to submit vaccination tests to human resources.
The bonus is expected to appear on paychecks on November 24 and the day off must be used by the end of 2022.
Virus-related hospitalizations have quadrupled in Arizona since the state’s third wave began in early July. People who are not fully vaccinated account for almost all serious illnesses and deaths.
Federally authorized free vaccines are widely available and highly effective in preventing COVID-19 disease, including the most contagious delta variant that now accounts for most cases in the U.S.
For information on the availability of the Phoenix Metro vaccine, Maricopa County Public Health has a location page that includes pharmacies, government-run sites, health clinics, and pop-up distribution events. An appointment may be required depending on the provider.