ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Thursday is the deadline for Orange County employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.


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At last check, 86% of county employees have one or more shots or were granted accommodations.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Thursday afternoon that 95% of nonunion employees and 75% of union employees had complied with the mandate.

Demings also said the county had reached an agreement with the local firefighters union on the vaccine mandate, and firefighter would have to let the county know whether they are vaccinated on Sept. 30. 

Firefighters will get a day off for complying, plus a $250 payment. Firefighters who don't get vaccinated must submit to weekly COVID-19 tests.

Demings said this was the same deal the county made with other unions.

As of Thursday, county employees need to have a single dose of Johnson & Johnson or at least the first dose of Pfizer or Moderna.

This comes as the state and the county battle over whether local governments can mandate vaccines for employees.

On Friday, The Florida Department of Health sent a letter to Demings, saying the county mandate is violating people's rights. The agency and Gov. Ron DeSantis are using legislation that does not allow businesses, schools or governments to require proof of vaccination for people who need services, but that law makes no mention of employees.

The state's letter threatens a $5,000 fine per violation.

Demings said earlier this week that he expected the issue over vaccine mandates for government employees to end up in court.