Amid reports that some Los Angeles firefighters are refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination, Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Friday that he “potentially” would make vaccination mandatory if firefighters remain reluctant in a few months.
“It is something we are talking about, especially those who will be interacting with the public,” said Garcetti, adding that other workers in the city can also be vaccinated mandatorily.
Garcetti said people are likely to have an incentive to get the vaccine as the economy reopens.
“For example, you probably can’t go to Dodger Stadium for the first few games if you haven’t been vaccinated, go to shows, do some of the things that are part of what we do,” he said.
The Times reported last week that some firefighters are refusing the vaccine, with some saying they are not comfortable with being among the first to get it.
Other firefighters say they have already been infected and feel they don’t need it.
Ralph Terrazas, chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, said he will look at vaccination numbers and consider making the injection mandatory after the vaccine is authorized for wider use by federal regulators.
The LAFD has resorted to awards for those who are vaccinated. Vaccinated firefighters participate in a drawing in which gifts include Canary home security cameras, Google Nest entertainment systems, Aventon fixed gear bikes and gift cards for Airbnb and Lyft.
The gifts will be financed by the LAFD Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money to support the department, according to a memo distributed by Terrazas.