Health leaders ask all businesses in Allegheny County to require COVID-19 vaccines

PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald and health department director Dr. Debra Bogen are requesting that all businesses within the county require their employees to be vaccinated against the virus by Jan. 1, 2022.

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Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto issued an executive order this month, requiring all city employees to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 22. It includes anyone employed by the city. Allegheny County already announced a vaccine mandate to take effect on Dec. 1.

Statistics released by the city several weeks ago revealed that 40% of the police officers are not vaccinated. On Wednesday, the Allegheny County Health Department reported nearly 600 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 24 hours.

Channel 11 asked Dr. Bogen about her concerns for the large jump in cases. Dr. Bogen explained that cases could continue to grow because of multiple factors.

“I am concerned. We have cold weather, more people inside, and holidays coming. So, I don’t see a way for our cases to go down anytime soon,” Dr. Bogen said.

The general manager of Pizza Parma said this is a non-issue, all of his staff are vaccinated.

“We want to make sure whoever comes in, they feel comfortable. That’s very important to us,” said Christopher Brown.

Other restaurant owners said they worry this will cause more of the dwindling workforce to quit.

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