Dozens of Orange County firefighters, supporters protest county’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of firefighters and their supporters gathered outside the Orange County Operations Center Monday afternoon to protest the county’s move to require them to have at least one vaccine shot by next week.

Late last month, Mayor Jerry Demings made COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for non-union employees, and the county has since been meeting with unions to come up with a plan.

READ: Coronavirus: What are the symptoms of the delta variant in children?

The county said its amended policy is effective Aug. 31, with compliance now a condition for employment, unless there’s a legal exemption that is approved by the county.

Firefighters and supporters gathered Monday protesting an expanded vaccine mandate for all bargaining employees.

READ: 20% of all new Orange County COVID-19 cases in children ages 5-14

“We are here today to stand up for our freedom and our rights to be able to have our freedoms of choice in what we put in our body,” said firefighter Wendy WIlliams.

Firefighters at the protest said they disagree with their inclusion in the county’s new policy that all new and existing county employees without a religious or medical exemption have until Sept. 30 to get fully vaccinated.

Coronavirus: FDA grants full approval of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Among the things the union wants to know is whether a firefighter can file a grievance if they’re fired over the vaccine.

On Monday morning, Mayor Jerry Demings said the county’s mission is to save lives and he respects the bargaining process and expects to keep these conversations going this week.