Written by Michael Palomba
Law Enforcement officers are still not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in San Diego County, and there doesn’t appear to be a valid reason as to why.
Just last week, County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher falsely blamed the federal and state guidelines that San Diego “(has) to follow,” but a member of the state’s COVID-19 task force said that local governments have control over who they want to vaccinate and that the state is simply providing suggestions.
“At this point, counties have the discretion in who they are vaccinating. The state provides guidance and the local health officer has the ability to accept/modify at his or her discretion.”
The San Diego County Sherriffs Association has requested that Law Enforcement personnel be bumped to a higher priority, but so far their request has not been granted.
Chula Vista Police Department Chief Roxana Kennedy, who wrote a “passionate letter” pleading for vaccinations of Law Enforcement Officers, had this to say when she spoke to KUSI, “It has been a really challenging time and Law Enforcement is left wondering how could we not be considered at the same level as EMT and firefighters.”
Kennedy also said that Law Enforcement officers often arrive at emergencies before EMT’s and Paramedics; both of which are already eligible for the vaccine.
Law Enforcement officers are part of phase 1B, which also includes workers in the education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture sectors. While it is possible for the Democrat-controlled Board of Supervisors to bump Law Enforcement officers up higher on the priority list, they do not appear keen on doing so.
Local governments in several California counties such as Orange, Marin, and Riverside have already begun offering vaccinations to Law Enforcement.
Photo via City of San Diego
