Amid reports that some Los Angeles firefighters are refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Friday that he would make the vaccine ‘potentially’ mandatory if firefighters remain reluctant in a few months.
“This is something we are talking about, especially those who will communicate with the public,” Garcetti said, adding that other city workers could also experience mandatory vaccinations.
Garcetti said people are likely to have an incentive to take the vaccine as the economy reopens.
“For example, you probably can’t get to the first games at Dodger Stadium if you are not vaccinated, go to concerts, do some things that are part of what we do,” he said.
The Times reported last week that some firefighters turned down the vaccine, and some said they did not feel comfortable being among the first.
Other firefighters say they are already infected and feel they do not need it.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said he would look into vaccination numbers and consider making the shot mandatory after the vaccine received authorization for wider use of federal regulators.
The LAFD uses prices for those who are vaccinated. Vaccinated firefighters come in a raffle where the gifts include Canary security cameras, Google Nest entertainment systems, Aventon fixed gear bikes and gift cards for Airbnb and Lyft.
The donations are funded by the LAFD Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money to support the department, according to a memorandum distributed by Terrazas.