Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Senate President Spilka: Update on Senate Vaccination Progress

From: Spilka, Karen (SEN) 

Subject: Update on Senate Vaccination Progress                                                  October 18, 2021

Dear Senators and Senate Staff,

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of Senate members and employees has been my top priority. Starting in March 2020, we successfully shifted to remote work, and have been able to deliver assistance and relief to the residents of Massachusetts, both through constituent services and the passing of legislation.

As the pandemic has continued and the virus has evolved, it has been necessary to remain working remotely to ensure the health and safety of Senators and staff. This period of remote work has lasted longer than anyone anticipated, and I'm truly grateful for your patience and flexibility as we have all adjusted to this new reality.

With the development and distribution of safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines, however, it is possible to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are the single most effective tool to combat the public health emergency and the disruption caused by this pandemic, and I am grateful for its widespread availability here in Massachusetts. I am also profoundly grateful for the efforts the members and employees of the Senate have undertaken to keep us all safe and productive by complying with the Senate's vaccine mandate.

As of today, we have had a 100% response rate on this issue, and I am proud to say that almost everyone in the Senate—96% of Senators and staff—is fully vaccinated.  Some are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated, some have received an exemption, and some are engaged with HR in the exemption process. I am very optimistic that we will reach our goal of 100% compliance very soon.

The rate of compliance with this vaccination mandate is tremendous news, and means we can once again begin moving forward on a hybrid work plan. Please stay tuned for more information from my office and Senate HR as we work to put these plans in place.

I am deeply grateful to the Senate Working Group on Reopening for their recommendations, and all of you for your efforts to keep the Senate a safe and healthy place to work. If you have any questions, please contact my Chief of Staff, Mary Anne Padien, at mary.padien@masenate.gov.

 

Kind regards,

Karen E. Spilka

Massachusetts State Senate President

________________________________________

Senate President Karen E. Spilka

2nd Middlesex & Norfolk

State House, Room 332

Boston, MA 02133

(617) 722-1640

(617) 722-1077 (fax)

Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov

 

Update on Senate Vaccination Progress

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