WASHINGTON — All D.C. health care workers are now required to be fully vaccinated, according to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Health care workers must have at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 30, officials said. Employees who qualify for a health or religious exemption can opt-out of taking the vaccine.
The new policy applies to:
- Licensed, certified and registered health professionals
- EMS providers such as paramedics and emergency medical technicians
- Unlicensed healthcare workers (patient care technicians, personal care aides and environmental service staff.
This new vaccine mandate comes as Bowser announced Tuesday that District government employees, including DCPS teachers, will be required to take a COVID-19 vaccine or submit to weekly COVID testing.
D.C. government employees have until Sept. 19 to be fully vaccinated, Bowser said. Unvaccinated employees who qualify for a health or religious exemption or who choose not to be vaccinated will be required to take a weekly COVID-19 test. If they do not comply with the new policy they will be subject to job penalities.