Note: On the morning of November 30, 2023, I noticed that the Santa Clara County Contractor COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements page, containing links to County Executive memoranda ordering the vaccination requirements for contractors, as well as employees and volunteers (see archived page), was showing “Access Denied.” At 9:08 I called the Office of the County Executive to see if the requirements had been lifted. The woman who answered the phone referred me to Steve Preminger, Director of Civic and Community Outreach. I later learned that Steve had served as Special Assistant to former County Executive Jeff Smith, who issued the memoranda in the first place. The following correspondence ensued.
Mr. Preminger,
It has come to my attention that, pursuant to a memorandum from former Santa Clara County Executive Jeffrey Smith, it is County policy not to hire or accept as a contractor or volunteer, anyone who is not “fully vaccinated” according to the 2021 CDC definition, amended in September 27, 2022 to also include the Novavax vaccine.
Reference:
What I would like to know is, is this still County policy, and if not when was the policy rescinded?
Thanks for any information you can provide on this matter.
Your neighbor,
Alex Eulenberg
Mountain View resident since 1998
Hi Alex,
The County has discontinued its vaccine requirement as of today, November 30.
I hope this answers your question.
Best regards,
Steve
Steve Preminger
Director, Civic and Community Engagement
(attached email from Santa Clara County CEO Greta Hansen, dated November 30, 2:27 PM PST)
Dear County Colleagues,
I write to let you know about an update to the County’s internal COVID-19 policies related to vaccination. Given the widespread availability of COVID-19 testing and treatment, the high level of community vaccination against COVID-19 in the county, and the lower hospitalization and death rate from the most recent surges of COVID-19, the necessity for mandatory vaccination has diminished. As such, the County is no longer requiring COVID-19 vaccination for personnel and contractors. Please find the attached memorandum for further details.
The County continues to encourage all employees to obtain all vaccinations and boosters for which they are eligible, including updated boosters. Please note that County personnel must continue to comply with any vaccination verification, masking, testing, and isolation and quarantine requirements that may apply to specific County sites or individuals based on federal, state, local, or departmental orders or policies.
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep the County and our community safe.
Sincerely,
Greta
Steve,
I’m so happy to hear that!
Please pass on my thanks to Executive Williams and all County staff who helped make this happen today!
Your neighbor,
Alex