Health & Fitness

Allegheny Co. Port Authority Mandates Vaccinations For Workers

The transit agency's employees have until March 15 to get a COVID-19 vaccination or they could be fired.

(Getty Image)

PITTSBURGH, PA — Port Authority of Allegheny County's 2,600 employees have until March 15 to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or they will face discipline that could include termination. The transit agency announced the move on Monday.

The new policy does not include a testing option in lieu of vaccinations.

“With the recent surge of the Omicron variant and the proven success of the vaccine against severe illness and death, it became clear to me that a vaccine requirement is the most effective way for us to protect our employees and riders,” Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a
statement.

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“We’ve already seen what the virus has done to our service, and our riders can’t afford to have even more missed trips and delays. This will help ensure our employees remain healthy and protected so they can deliver the safe and reliable public transportation that Allegheny
County deserves.”

Seven authority employees have died during the pandemic, according to the authority. Seventy-four percent of its workers are vaccinated.

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