ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — COVID-19 killed nearly 400 Orange County residents in August, and now six Orange County employees have died, too.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he believes this experience has recently driven up the employee vaccination rate.

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More than 78% of his staff have now received at least one shot, which exceeds the community vaccination rate.

But the firefighters union is still holding out, and hasn’t come to an agreement with the county yet.

So far, about 450 employees have requested exemptions from the vaccine, but not have been approved yet.

READ: Vaccine mandate protesters prepare for recall effort against Orange County mayor

Employees can only request an exemption for religious or health reasons.

Under Demings’ vaccine mandate, all employees must have their first dose by Sept. 30.

READ: Firefighters protest against Orange County vaccine mandate

Video: Orange County working on plans to vaccinate younger children against COVID-19 when eligible Orange County health officials are working on plans to vaccinate younger children against COVID-19 when they are eligible. (Lauren Seabrook, WFTV.com)

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