
The mandate requiring employees of Rock Haven to get the COVID-19 vaccine remains in place after hours of debate by the Rock County Board.
It passed a resolution late Thursday night to allow the mandate to continue, with exemptions for reasonable accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act, Civil Rights Act and Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978.
The change in policy would allow the nursing home employees to keep their jobs without getting the vaccine if they qualify for the exceptions laid out in those federal protections.
Under the new policy, employees with certain disabilities or pre-existing health conditions would be exempt, along with pregnant or nursing mothers and those with “bona fide religious objections.”
Workers who do not qualify under these protections will still be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to keep their jobs at Rock Haven.
Those who have an adverse reaction to the first dose of the two-stage vaccine will not be required to get the second dose.
Rock County Administrator Josh Smith said the policy is designed to protect the safety of the employees and residents at the county-run nursing home.