A Month After the COVID-19 Vaccine was Rolled out, Alameda County First Responders Are Still Waiting for the Vaccine Despite Not Receiving the Vaccine these First Responders Continue to Serve. 

OAKLAND – The Oakland Police Officers’ Association (OPOA) and the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Alameda County (ACDSA) warned that the 1500 first responders they represent still have not received the COVID-19 vaccine and that Alameda County has no plan to vaccinate these first responders who continue to serve their communities during the pandemic. “The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office is working to facilitate the vaccination of the county jail population against COVID-19, but the County Health Department has no plan to vaccinate the deputies or staff working in the jail.” said ACDSA President Kevin Lewis. “More than 90 Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs’ have tested positive for COVID-19, and one deputy has already died, but there is no plan to vaccinate these essential first responders.” “Oakland Police Officers have been testing positive for COVID-19 and getting sick at high rates” said Barry Donelan, OPOA President. “Sixty-two Oakland Police Officers have tested positive of COVID-19 but calls to county health to administer the vaccine to these first responders go unanswered.” Counties across the state have completed the vaccinations of first responders, to included law enforcement. But not Alameda County.

Both Deputies and Police Officers are frustrated that Alameda County Public Health has not provided the vaccine to all first responders. Oakland Police Officers and Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs have come to work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers and Deputies respond to 911 calls and provide public safety services in Oakland and throughout Alameda County. In Oakland they have already responded to 11 murders in the first 21 days of 2021. Donelan said “The very nature of the job means we can’t work from home. We are on the streets responding to calls for help. Unfortunately, when we arrive at calls, we are first responders that have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, so neither our citizens nor first responders are protected from infection.” “Our profession involves constant public contact. We cannot always be socially distanced as law enforcement. Therefore, we are potentially exposing our residents, our incarcerated population and ourselves to COVID-19 infection. Our high infection rates demonstrate the danger,” Lewis explained.

Let’s protect all first responders and those they serve. The ACDSA and OPOA urge Alameda County Public Health to vaccinate the county’s Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs without delay. About the Oakland Police Officers’ Association: The Oakland Police Officers’ Association (OPOA) represents all sworn members at all ranks within the Oakland Police Department. Representing the hardest working Police Officers in America. The OPOA can be found on the Web at www.opoa.org.

About the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Alameda County: The DSA of Alameda County represents Sergeants and Deputies within the Sheriff’s Office in matters relating to employment, working conditions and benefits. The DSA of Alameda County can be found on the Web at www.alamedadsa.com.

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