The Department of Health has issued a document with more information and Frequently Asked Questions about the state proclamation requiring health care workers and public employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. We maintain our right to bargain over the impacts of this proclamation on health care workers and we continue to support vaccination as a key tool in fighting the spread of COVID-19 which is once again stressing our health care system to the limit. If you have any questions about how this proclamation affects you that aren’t answered by these documents, contact your Shop Steward or Union Rep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find the full FAQ document from the Washington State Department of Health here.

What documentation do I need to provide to prove my vaccination status?

If you work in a health care setting, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to the operator of that health care setting. Acceptable proof includes one of the following:

• CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or photo of the card

• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or electronic health record

• State Immunization Information System record

• WA State Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination from MyIRmobile.com

Can I attest to being vaccinated in lieu of showing proof?

No. Personal attestation is not an acceptable form of verification of COVID-19 vaccination.

Is there any way to opt out of vaccination?

If you are entitled under applicable law to a disability-related reasonable accommodation or sincerely held religious belief accommodation, then you are exempt from the proclamation. If you are not entitled to an accommodation, then there is no way for a Health Care Provider to opt out of the vaccination requirement in the proclamation.

What happens if I can’t get the vaccine because I was infected with COVID-19 just prior to starting work?

If you are unable to comply with the requirement to be fully vaccinated by October 18 because (a) you were infected with COVID-19 in the weeks immediately preceding the deadline or (b) you had an adverse reaction to the first dose of the vaccine, talk the operator of the health care setting where you are working about their reasonable accommodation process.

Do private employers have to bargain with their unions since this is a government requirement?

Affected employers with workers represented by a union are to address the impacts of this proclamation in accordance with the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement between the parties.