The state of Vermont will require that state employees who work with vulnerable populations be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Gov. Phil Scott made the announcement Tuesday as the number of new cases of the virus continues to increase across the state, largely due to the presence of the more infectious delta variant of the virus. "The mandatory vaccination that we’re considering it won’t be forced. There may be some other avenue for those who are not willing to be vaccinated. But we just think it’s a good idea considering what we’re seeing across the country.”
The plan would cover state employees who work at the veterans' home in Bennington, the state's prisons and the state psychiatric hospital in Berlin.
Scott says he doesn't know about how many state employees the requirement would cover but that as of now he didn't expect to have to expand the requirement to other state employees.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contents © copyright 2021. All rights reserved.