The Washington State Republican Party (WSRP) released a statement on Wednesday calling for Gov. Jay Inslee to end a statewide COVID-19 vaccination requirement for state employees.
“If Seattle and King County can end their mandates because of updated health guidance, the only thing stopping Governor Inslee from doing so is his own ego,” said Caleb Heimlich, WSRP chair.
In the statement, Heimlich also asked Inslee to rehire state workers who were fired for their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, calling their choice a “personal health care decision.” He added the decision to fire workers who chose to not receive the vaccine resulted in a variety of issues, including a shortage of health care workers, a decline in first responders and problems with the ferry system.
“These workers served throughout the pandemic before vaccines were available — putting their own safety aside to save lives during the COVID pandemic. Once these vaccines became available, those who refused vaccination, due to any number of reasons, were thanklessly let go from employment — and the consequences have been dramatic,” Heimlich said.
The statement went on to argue Washington state was in need of leadership and questioned Inslee’s decisions.
“A governor that is unwilling to correct his own mistakes is the last thing Washington needs to come out on top,” the party said in its statement.
Others have questioned why the state requires the COVID-19 vaccine for state employees but not subsequent booster shots as the effectiveness of the original dose is now known to have waned since the early days of the pandemic.
