Essex County Sheriff Issues Extensive Coronavirus Vaccine Order

Danvers MA

30 November, 2021

2:05 PM

Description

MIDDLETON, MA — All employees, vendors and volunteers with the Essex County Sheriff's Department will need to provide proof of a coronavirus vaccination as of Jan. 4, 2022 as part of a new order from Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. Coppinger's office said the order follows a similar state mandate for all state employees, and comes at a time when Coppinger said there has been a surge of cases within the correctional system. "The COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective tool we have to ensure the health and safety of all within our facilities, which is why this department will be moving ahead with a vaccination mandate," Sheriff Coppinger said. "We are a congregate care setting, and as such, we must make sure everyone has the vaccination to protect not only themselves and fellow staff, but to also protect every person that we provide care and custody for." Coppinger's office said as of last week 72 percent of the department's 568 employees had provided proof of vaccination. He said medical and religious exemptions will be considered. He said the expansion of the mandate to include vendors and volunteers is necessary to protect all employees and the incarcerated population of about 1,100 across the Essex facilities. "The employees of the Essex County Sheriff's Department have demonstrated great courage and commitment throughout this pandemic and worked tirelessly to keep our facilities operating each and every day," Coppinger said. "I think them for their support as we continue to navigate this pandemic." Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)