State employees in Washington will no longer be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of their employment, Gov. Jay Inslee announced on May 10.
The policy covers employees in all 24 executive cabinet agencies and 32 small cabinet agencies.
Inslee’s directive goes into effect on May 11, the same day the federal public health emergency ends and vaccination requirements are also lifted for federal employees and contractors.
“For more than three years, we have all faced incredible challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted every aspect of our lives. Throughout this public health crisis, our state employee family has demonstrated inspiring resilience and dedication, and I want to thank you for your exemplary service under extremely unprecedented circumstances,” Inslee wrote in the directive (pdf)….