Dec 21, 2021 - Health

California to require health care workers get booster shots

Rebecca Falconer

Gavin Newsom takes questions during a press conference on COVID-19 vaccination and housing for homeless veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 10 — California Gov. Gavin Newsom during a November press conference. Photo: Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

California will require health care workers to get COVID-19 booster shots, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday.

Driving the news: He's taking the step to "protect Californians during a potential winter surge," per a statement from Newsom's office. "With Omicron on the rise, we're taking immediate actions to protect Californians and ensure our hospitals are prepared," Newsom tweeted.

The big picture: The most populous state already has a coronavirus vaccine mandate for health care workers and other personnel.

But officials have stepped up measures in response to the surge of the Omicron variant — which accounted for more than 73% of recent COVID-19 cases in the U.S. this week.
The state has also reinstated a mask mandate in all indoor public spaces.

What's next: Newsom's office said details of the booster shot mandate would be announced Wednesday.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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California to require health care workers get booster shots

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