JANESVILLE, Wis. — COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be required for employees at the Rock Haven nursing home in Janesville.
The county board voted 15-12 Thursday night in favor of discontinuing the mandate, which went into place in December.
The nursing home’s administrator asked the board to keep the requirement in place, saying she believes it keeps residents safe.
The county is currently facing a potential lawsuit from a group of laid-off Rock Haven employees who were fired earlier this year for refusing to take the vaccine.
“As far as going forward, we’re in a good position,” said Michael Anderson, attorney for former Rock Haven employees. “There’s the question of backpay to January until the time the county has changed the policy. They have not signaled that they’re willing to pay that, they have signaled my clients are invited back.”
The employees’ attorney says some of the positions for the former employees have already been filled. If that’s the case, he says they will likely get a payout.
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