Health Department asks businesses to display vaccination rates

Last edited 12:51 p.m., Sept. 14, 2021

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is encouraging business owners to display their workplaces' vaccination rates.

Businesses that meet a 70% or 100% vaccination goal may contact the Health Department for a yard sign, according to a news release. Organizations that have met the 100% threshold include Italian restaurant Gilardi's Ristorante and the Harmony House nonprofit.

"Harmony House is committed to keeping our residents safe and healthy," said Lisa Farmer, executive director of the nonprofit that provides domestic violence services and awareness, in the release. “This includes getting vaccinated for COVID-19.

"The availability of highly effective vaccines has helped Harmony House staff and volunteers continue our operations and feel good knowing we did our part to protect those we serve."

Health Department spokesperson Aaron Schekorra said roughly 20 organizations have signed on so far, most of which are for the 100% signs. Gilardi's has nine employees, according to a restaurant spokesperson, and Harmony House has roughly 46, SBJ previously reported.

Greene County's vaccination rate as of yesterday was 48.3%, according to the Health Department's COVID-19 dashboard. The seven-day average of cases was 54, and 122 were hospitalized with the virus.