The California Medical Association (CMA) filed a declaration with U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, in support of a County of Los Angeles policy that requires county employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Los Angeles County is being sued by a group of firefighters and other employees of the Los Angeles County Fire Department seeking a preliminary injunction to suspend the county’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.

The declaration, signed by former CMA Trustee Steven R. Una, M.D., emphasized the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines in preventing transmission, hospitalization and death.

“In order to protect the health and safety of Los Angeles County employees, as well as the community it serves, and to reduce hospitalizations and deaths, Los Angeles County must be able to take proactive, swift and strong action to mitigate the spread of the virus,” Dr. Una said in the declaration.

CMA recommends and advocates for vaccinations (subject to limited exemptions), consistent with guidance from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the California Department of Public Health.

See CMA’s declaration here.