96 percent of Milwaukee County employees subject to vaccine mandate have submitted proof of vaccination, exemption

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Dec 14, 2021 5:15 PM CDT | Updated: Dec 15, 2021 9:24 AM CDT

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As of Sunday, December 12, 2021, 96% of Milwaukee County employees subject to the County’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate are vaccinated against COVID-19 or have received an exemption.

Overview of Key Metrics:

96 percent (3,366) of Milwaukee County employees subject to the County’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate have submitted proof of vaccination or have received / are in the process of receiving an exemption (public safety union employees are not currently subject to the COVID-19 mandate).
87 percent (3,055) of employees subject to the mandate have submitted proof of vaccination;
9 percent (311) of employees subject to the mandate have received or are in the process of receiving an exemption;
1 percent (35) of employees subject to the mandate have had vaccine form or exemption forms denied and are being encouraged to resubmit; and
3 percent (104) of employees who are subject to the mandate have not yet submitted proof of vaccination or an exemption request.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, County leaders have prioritized policies that reinforce our vision to become the healthiest County in Wisconsin,” said County Executive David Crowley. “Milwaukee County’s employee vaccination rate is encouraging and should be a signal to the broader community about how seriously we take the health and wellbeing of our employees and those we serve.”

According to a news release, racial equity was a key consideration throughout the development of the county’s vaccine mandate. Consequences of COVID-19 infection have an inequitable impact on vulnerable groups, including black and brown people who tend to be more at risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19. Preventing further harm to these communities was a primary consideration in establishing the vaccination mandate.

“Milwaukee County is committed to providing a workplace that is safe for all people - including the individuals Milwaukee County employees serve,” said Crowley. “Simply put, increasing the vaccination rate among employees helps keep everyone safe.”

Milwaukee County’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for staff was issued in September and went into effect on October 1, 2021. The mandate requires all current employees to demonstrate verification of their COVID-19 vaccination or receive an approved exemption in order to avoid consequences.