More than 92% of King County Executive branch employees vaccinated

More than 92% of King County Executive branch employees have reported they are fully vaccinated.

Overall, nearly 97% of the workforce complied with the mandate by King County Executive Dow Constantine to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or request a religious or medical exemption, according to an Oct. 19 King County Executive’s Office news release.

• 14,280 employees are covered by the mandate (this updated number does not include 396 employees on extended leave who will need to comply upon return to work).

• 13,830 employees complied with the mandate, for 96.8% compliance.

Of those:

• 13,191 employees confirmed they are fully vaccinated (or 92.3% of all employees)

• 639 employees have requested religious or medical exemptions and are in the process to determine whether accommodations can be provided.

• 450 employees did not comply with the mandate and will receive proposed termination letters this week.

Here are the numbers for certain specific departments:

King County Sheriff’s Office sworn officers

• 623 total employees

• 71 requested exemptions, now in accommodation process

• 12 did not comply with the mandate

Metro Transit operators

• 2,614 total employees

• 119 requested exemptions, now in accommodation process

• 96 did not comply with the mandate.

A King County Executive’s Office spokesperson said more employees are expected to confirm their vaccination status in the separation process, and as outlined in the agreements with the employee unions, that compliance would allow the employee to continue serving the people of King County.

Constantine sent the following message to employees:

“Yesterday, October 18, was the deadline for Executive Branch employees to become fully vaccinated under state and county mandates. I am pleased to announce that 97% of employees complied with my Executive Order by becoming fully vaccinated or being in the accommodation process. Approximately 4.5% of these are going through the accommodation process.

“As public servants, we have an obligation to do everything we can to protect the health and safety of the people we serve and the people we work alongside. We have an obligation to lead by example, and I am grateful that, once again, you have shown your commitment to this region through your actions. By having as many people as possible fully vaccinated in our workforce, we can ensure we continue to be there for our community.”