BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Starting Jan 3, 2022, the City of Boise will be requiring COVID-19 vaccines from all newly-hired employees.

New employees will need two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson, two weeks before they start.

In a press conference, McLean said that this change is made to protect current employees and residents, as well as to bring services back to pre-pandemic levels.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our residents that it’s been important for them to keep our facilities open," said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “Our libraries have been able to remain open because we’ve had masking policies in place. Our residents appreciate that services are open.”

“We’re about to hire 700-800 temporary employees for the summer," McLean said. "We need to do this now to keep our kids safe."

We need to take action to ensure uninterrupted city services and programming, and to protect the health and safety of our community, especially our most vulnerable, our children.

This requirement also extends to temporary and contract employees. It will only apply to jobs posted effective Jan. 3.

It doesn't affect current employees, but the city still recommends that all employees get vaccinated and receive the booster.

“We have an obligation to our employees to do what we can to keep them as healthy as possible,” McLean said. “Vaccines are a big piece of that.”

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