Good Morning, Colleagues.

I happened to have received these items among others in the Inbox. I believe these narratives and reports can open up further ideas and generate options for robust and healthy discussion leading to the formulation of Policies affirmed by a broad cross section of our dedicated staff that can keep us all, safe as best as we can, by adopting and or formulating measures that have been found to be supported by Staff of a number large and smaller HC entities across the country.

I wish to share these  5 reports.

I. How Henry Ford Health System is handling pushback on vaccine mandate. There are practical and successful recommendations to manage messaging during formulation and implementation of the Vaccination Policies.

II. UCSF estimates it prevented 500 employee infections through vaccination.

III. Hospitals, health systems mandating vaccines for workers: I think there 85 systems right up Aug 03 21. Some experiences in a variety of HC entities are instructive.

IV. 11 bans on vaccine mandates — What states have them & which might soon. Dr. Teja raised this important point.

V. Messaging based on CDC Graphic and messaging on their website.

Welcome your comments. Much of the narrative in these attachment have  a bearing on our discussions, we have overlapping interests and share resonating concerns and challenges at many levels.

Please shares as you see fit or post as you see fit.

Velandy Manohar, MD.,

Distinguished Life Fellow, Am Psychiatric Assoc.
Med. Director, CT Aware Recovery Care

NB: In 1913 or so, Justice Louis Brandeis asserted this axiomatic truth: “If the broad light of day could be let in upon men’s actions, it would purify them as the sun disinfects.” We have plenty of Sunshine lavished on us. We can absorb the light and strengthen our bones while holding firm on equity and inclusivity as we work out our differences in a transparent and collaborative manner. We can learn one other thing that is fair play [between all of us regardless of our station in life] from the sun’s rays that lands equally on all folks at a given latitude, all year around.VM

1. 
   Useable suggestions:  How to communicate & manage conflicts on Vaccination Mandate.

How Henry Ford Health System is handling pushback on vaccine mandate (beckershospitalreview.com)

How Henry Ford Health System is handling pushback on vaccine mandate

Kelly Gooch - 23 hours ago [08 03 21 2:45PM. VM]

As more hospitals and health systems make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for employees, they are addressing concerns from unvaccinated workers, while navigating the pandemic's trajectory and a delta variant that is spreading. Here, Bob Riney, president of healthcare operations and COO of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System, discusses how it's approaching its mandate and offers advice to peers related to enforcement.

Handling pushback from workers 

Henry Ford, which employs more than 33,000 people, announced June 29 that it will require workers to be vaccinated as a condition of employment. The requirement takes effect Sept. 10 and applies to team members, students, volunteers and contractors.  

As of July 30, 73 percent of Henry Ford employees had received at least one vaccine dose. Still, there have been those who oppose a mandate.

Protesting, which included some Henry Ford workers, occurred July 17 in front of Henry Ford West Bloomfield (Mich.) Hospital and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, according to the Detroit Free Press. Organizer Amber Castro of Westland, Mich., told the newspaper protesting also occurred at three other Henry Ford Health System hospitals — in Clinton Township, Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich.

"We are not anti-vax. We are not unvaccinated out here. There are people who got the COVID vaccine. We are all out here because we do not believe the vaccine should be mandated," said Ms. Castro, who is not a healthcare worker but said she was speaking as a voice for these workers, according to the report.

Mr. Riney said the health system and protesters were mutually respectful during the event. 

"The first thing we're doing is sticking to our values, which is treating people with respect, whether they view our mandate as something they agree with or not," he said.

The protesters "expressed their views, and they got those views heard to a broader audience, and we're fine with that," added Mr. Riney. 

Amid concerns from some employees, Henry Ford is offering daily communications in the health system's internal electronic newsletter related to vaccination, as well as providing information about the science and data behind vaccines.

Henry Ford leaders are also visiting with individuals in Henry Ford facilities who might be hesitant to get vaccinated to learn what their concerns are, Mr. Riney said. The health system then can provide the employee with more data, or possibly a connection with a physician or someone else who could help address their concerns. 

Mr. Riney said Henry Ford is also holding virtual town halls and employee listening sessions where employees can ask questions and voice opinions in front of physicians and health system executives.

"We're finding them to be very transparent and very effective. That doesn't mean we're changing everyone's mind who is opposed to a vaccine mandate, but I think they are grateful we're not filtering their questions or shying away in any way, shape or form in addressing their concerns to the best of our ability," he said.

Additionally, Mr. Riney said Henry Ford is considering population segments that may want to hear from people in those same segments. For example, one of the health system's leading African American physicians talked to workers about her own vaccination hesitancy and journey. 

"She put together a video vignette, and ultimately why she made the choice to get vaccinated early on and why she's urged all of her colleagues and patients to do so.

And likewise, a nurse speaking to nurses,

or an entry-level employee speaking to other entry-level employees," said Mr. Riney.

 "We've tried to make sure our messages are not only crisp and clear but relatable, and in many cases, delivered by individuals who would be viewed as trusted and objective sources.

I think we're doing a comprehensive and holistic approach to building the right kind of information."

Based on these efforts and the increased number of workers scheduling vaccination appointments, he said he is optimistic the health system's vaccination rate will grow 1 to 2 percentage points every few days over the next several weeks. 

Advice when enforcing mandates

Many hospitals and health systems are facing significant staffing shortages at the same time they are tasked with enforcing mandates. 

"Doing the right thing doesn't always come at the most convenient time," and that lack of convenience "doesn't negate the obligations to do the right thing," Mr. Riney said.

"We believe having a workforce that is fully vaccinated is absolutely the right thing and obviously supported by science and facts. We would not defer that decision because we happen to be part of a nationwide labor and recruitment challenge, because doing the right thing doesn't come with a deferral until situations are ideal," he said. "With that said, there's no question that puts extra stress on all of us in making sure we're connecting with our team members and engaging with them in a very significant and meaningful way to let them know they matter and what they do matters, not just for us but for the community they serve."

He recommended that hospitals and health systems use many forums to communicate with employees about vaccines,

as some people like electronic materials,

some like hand-delivered or written printed materials,

some like a text, and

some want their leader to come to their work environment and have a one-on-one conversation with them. 

"One size doesn't fit all. And the more you can get in tune with what works for various individuals, I think you have a higher likelihood of success," said Mr. Riney.  

Latest articles on workforce:

US hospitals face staffing shortages amid latest COVID-19 wave: Snapshots from 5 states

UCSF estimates it prevented 500 employee infections through vaccination

Louisiana hospitals grapple with staffing as employees out sick with COVID-19

 

II

UCSF estimates it prevented 500 employee infections through vaccination (beckershospitalreview.com)

UCSF estimates it prevented 500 employee infections through vaccination

Kelly Gooch - 5 hours ago  [08 03 21 2:45 PM VM]

Although the University of California-San Francisco reported 183 employees or students testing positive for COVID-19 in July, it estimates hundreds of infections were prevented because of vaccination. 

UCSF spokesperson Kristen Bole said Aug. 2 those 183 cases are from a population of 35,000 people and were identified through routine testing, screening and contact tracing programs. Most people had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic, she said.

Eighty percent of the UCSF infections involved UCSF Health employees, and only two people were exposed in the workplace. The remainder acquired COVID-19 in the their community or home, said Ms. Bole. Of the 183 people who tested positive in July, 153 had been vaccinated and 30 had not. Only two individuals have required hospitalization — one had been vaccinated, the other had not.

"These results reflect how highly effective the vaccines remain, even after seven months, in some cases. For perspective, without vaccinations, we would expect to have seen 767 COVID-19 cases during that time, given the current positivity rate among those UCSF individuals who have not been vaccinated," Ms. Bole said.

As cases rise amid the spread of the delta variant, Ms. Bole said UCSF is "doubling down on our efforts to protect our staff," including requiring employees and trainees to comply with the University of California's vaccination mandate, with limited exceptions for medical or religious reasons. UCSF has also reinstated its masking requirement for staff, patients and visitors, as well as at-home quarantines for those who have been exposed to COVID-19.

UCSF is not the only San Francisco institution that has seen staff members test positive. 

At Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, 55 of the more than 7,000 hospital staff members tested positive, as of July 31, said hospital spokesperson Cristina Padilla. The hospital said it did not know of any of the infected staff who had been hospitalized.

Ms. Padilla said the infections primarily occurred through community exposure. 

"ZSFG continues to follow strict infection control measures, including daily self-screening of staff, requiring masks on campus, and testing of all admitted patients. To avoid further exposures, infected staff are in quarantine in their homes, and we have plans in place to ensure we have enough staff coverage," she said.  

As of July 30, San Francisco was averaging 176 new COVID-19 cases daily, a tenfold increase since the beginning of June, according to the city's department of public health.

Latest articles on workforce:

US hospitals face staffing shortages amid latest COVID-19 wave: Snapshots from 5 states

Louisiana hospitals grapple with staffing as employees out sick with COVID-19

11 bans on vaccine mandates — What states have them & which might soon

 

III.

Hospitals, health systems mandating vaccines for workers (beckershospitalreview.com)

Hospitals, health systems mandating vaccines for workers

Kelly Gooch and Hannah Mitchell - Updated 11 minutes ago[ 08 03 21 @12 45PM. VM]

The number of hospitals and health systems requiring COVID-19 vaccination for employees is growing.

Here are the healthcare organizations that have announced mandates:

Editor's Note: This webpage was updated Aug. 3 and will continue to be updated. The list is in chronological order based on when the mandate was announced or reported on.

Valley Children's Healthcare in Madera, Calif. is requiring its staff, physicians, vendors and those conducting business in its facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19, effective Sept. 21. If an employee is granted a medical or religious exemption, they will have to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. A large percentage of the hospital's patient population is too young to receive the vaccine, which increases their vulnerability to contracting the virus, the hospital told Becker's Aug. 3.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health in Lebanon, N.H., announced Aug. 3 that it will require employees to get vaccinated as a condition of employment, effective Sept. 30. The health system said employees must submit documentation that they have been fully vaccinated or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption.

Baptist Health in Louisville, Ky., will require its nearly 23,000 employees to be vaccinated, CEO Gerard Colman said in a statement shared with Becker's Aug. 3. Mr. Colman said details of the plans are still being shared with employees and the Baptist Health Medical Group.

MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Wash., is requiring all hospital and clinic employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 this fall. Details are still being worked out, and more information will be released in the coming weeks, The Spokesman-Review reported Aug. 3.

Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health, the University of Rochester Medical Center and Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester are mandating employees be vaccinated by Sept. 8 or undergo frequent COVID-19 testing, according to an Aug. 2 news release shared with Becker's.

Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Ky., will require employees, with allowance for religious and medical exemption, to be fully vaccinated, Russell Cox, president and CEO, said Aug. 2. Employees must receive their first dose by Sept. 15.

Kaiser Permanente, an Oakland, Calif.-based organization with more than 216,000 employees and more than 23,000 Permanente Medical Group physicians, said Aug. 2 that it will make vaccines mandatory for workers. Kaiser's target date to achieve a fully vaccinated workforce is Sept. 30. Unvaccinated employees and physicians must become fully vaccinated or apply for medical or religious exemption.

Hawaii Pacific Health in Honolulu said it will require employees to be vaccinated, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Aug. 2. The health system's compliance deadline is Oct. 1. According to the newspaper, employees who obtain medical or religious exemptions must get tested regularly.

Queen's Health System in Honolulu said it will require employees to be vaccinated, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Aug. 2. The health system's compliance deadline is Oct. 1. 

Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston announced its mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy Aug. 2. Uner the policy, managers and above must be compliant by Sept. 11, the health system said. The deadline for all other employees, in addition to the system’s affiliated providers and volunteers, is Oct. 9. Memorial Hermann will provide exemptions for medical or religious reasons. 

Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y. is mandating vaccines for its employees after vaccine rates stagnated at 77 percent, the health system told Becker's Aug. 2. Health system employees will have to be fully vaccinated by Aug. 16 or will be required to be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis. Unvaccinated employees could also face adverse actions, which could progress to include termination.

All New Jersey hospitals will require their staff to get vaccinated under a new mandate by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Healthcare staff will have until Sept. 7 to get vaccinated or will have to get a COVID-19 test up to twice a week. However, if vaccination rates don't increase significantly, the governor will consider requiring vaccinations for healthcare staff as a condition of  employment, he said Aug. 2.

Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock said July 30 its directors, executives, managers, advanced practice nurses, physicians and physician assistants will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Sept. 30. On Aug. 1, new employees will be required to receive their first dose within 30 days of employment.

Phoenix Children's is mandating vaccines for all staff, effective Oct. 1. The hospital told Becker's July 30 that most of its staff is already fully vaccinated, but it will support the remaining employees as they work toward getting inoculated.

Texas Health Resources in Arlington said July 30 that it will require vaccination as a condition of employment. Employees will need to have received either both shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one Johnson and Johnson shot, effective Sept. 10. The policy also applies to physicians and advanced practice providers on the medical staffs, students, vendors and contractors.

Conway (Ark.) Regional Health System said July 29 that it will require new hires and leaders, including executive leadership, directors and managers, to get vaccinated. The requirement is effective Aug. 8. Leaders receiving two vaccine doses will be required to receive the second dose by the end of August, the health system said. New hires receiving two vaccine doses will be required to get the second dose within 30 days of employment.   

Millinocket (Maine) Regional Hospital will require employees to receive the Pfizer or Moderna shots when they receive final FDA approval, the Press Herald reported July 29. Staff will be able to request exemptions.

Methodist Health System in Dallas said July 29 that it will require its workforce to be vaccinated by Oct. 1. The health system said once it achieves its workforce vaccination goal, full-time employees will receive a $500 bonus, and part-time employees will receive $250.

Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, S.C., is requiring team members to get vaccinated, Fox Carolina reported July 29. The organization said it aims to have unvaccinated employees inoculated by Sept. 30, according to the report.

ChristianaCare said July 29 that it will require employees, medical-dental staff, residents, students, contracted employees, temporary labor, volunteers and vendors to be vaccinated. Caregivers at the Newark, Del.-based health system must receive their first vaccine dose of a two-dose vaccine or their single Johnson & Johnson shot by Sept. 21. 

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will require workforce members at any location to get inoculated, the hospital said July 29. A deadline has not been announced.

Mary Washington Healthcare in Fredericksburg, Va., will require its workforce to get vaccinated by Oct. 31, the health system said July 29. The requirement will apply to employees, medical staff and volunteers.

UCHealth, an Aurora, Colo.-based health system with 26,000 employees, said July 28 that it will require employees, providers, volunteers and partners to be vaccinated by Oct. 1. UCHealth's employees may receive the vaccine of their choice or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Those who obtain an exemption must wear a mask at all times in UCHealth facilities and be tested weekly, the health system said. 

Pullman (Wash.) Regional Hospital will require employees to be fully vaccinated or complete the exemption process, by Oct. 27, the hospital said July 28. Employees can request a medical exemption, religious belief exemption or personal belief exemption. The personal belief exemption will expire on June 1, 2022, or within two months of full FDA approval of a vaccine. 

Baylor Scott & White Health, a 52-hospital health system based in Dallas, is requiring employees, providers, volunteers, vendors, students and contract staff to receive both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot, unless granted an exemption, the health system said in a statement shared with Becker's July 28. The deadline for the requirement is Oct. 1. 

State-run New York hospitals will need patient-facing healthcare workers to get vaccinated by Labor Day, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said July 28. Employees who are not patient-facing and do not get vaccinated will be required to get tested weekly. The requirement will be instated at 10 hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., said July 28 that it will require the COVID-19 vaccine for team members, medical staff, students, volunteers and contractors. The 14-hospital health system plans to require vaccination within eight weeks of the FDA approving the first vaccine, or sooner depending on pandemic circumstances. Spectrum will consider exemptions.

Ascension, a 149-hospital health system based in St. Louis, will require COVID-19 vaccination for its 160,000 employees. Ascension's requirement will apply to workers who provide direct patient care, as well as those who work in health system sites of care or remotely, the health system said July 27. This includes workers employed by subsidiaries and partners; physicians and advanced practice providers (employed and independent); and volunteers and vendors entering health system locations. Ascension said employees have until Nov. 12 to complete the vaccine series and meet the vaccination requirement.

Care New England is moving forward with mandatory vaccination for all staff, the Providence, R.I.-based health system said July 27. Vaccination has been required for students, volunteers and new hires since July 1, and the next step is to require managers to begin the vaccination series before Labor Day, said Care New England. 

Baystate Health said July 26 that employed team members, including those working remotely, clinical staff, contractors, volunteers, students, and those conducting business within the Springfield, Mass.-based health system, will be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1. Employees will be able to request an exemption for religious or medical reasons, and pregnant employees may request a deferral.

California healthcare organizations will be required to have all of their employees fully vaccinated or they will be required to get tested weekly, Gov. Gavin Newsom said July 26. Unvaccinated healthcare employees will also be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment. The policy will take effect Aug. 9 and employees will have until Aug. 23 to fully comply.

Truman Medical Centers/University Health in Kansas City, Mo., said July 26 that vaccination will be a requirement for staff members, according to KMBC. The deadline to be vaccinated is Sept. 20.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said all health system staff must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 17. Those who do not meet the deadline will be able to keep their jobs. However, they will be required to complete a formal refusal process, which includes watching education modules, wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing while on campus.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for 115,000 of its front-line healthcare workers, the first federal agency to do so. Starting July 28, those workers have eight weeks to get fully vaccinated or face penalties, including possible removal.

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago is requiring its workers, contractors and volunteers to get the shot. They must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1. 

HonorHealth in Scottsdale, Ariz., said July 23 that it will require vaccination as a condition of employment. Employees must submit proof of vaccination by Nov. 1. 

Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, S.D., said July 22 that all employees across its 46 hospitals and hundreds of other medical facilities will be required to be vaccinated by Nov. 1. More than 90 percent of clinicians and 70 percent of nurses are already vaccinated, the health system said. Those who do not get vaccinated will not be working, but a final decision on a furlough has not been decided.

Duke University Health System, a three-hospital health system based in Durham, N.C., is requiring vaccination for employees. The deadline for employees is Sept. 21, news station ABC11 reported July 22. 

Cone Health in Greensboro, N.C., said July 22 that it will require vaccination for workers, effective July 30. The mandate will apply to employees, medical and dental staff, professional students and volunteers. The deadline for compliance is Oct. 1. 

UNC Health said July 22 that it will require teammates at UNC Medical Center, UNC Rex Healthcare, Chatham Hospital, Johnston Health, UNC Health Southeastern, UNC Rockingham Health Care, UNC Physicians Network Practices and UNC Health Shared Services locations to get vaccinated. The deadline for employees at the Chapel Hill, N.C.-based health system is Sept. 21.

Wake Forest Baptist Health said July 22 that the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based organization is requiring teammates to be fully vaccinated or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption. The mandate applies to remote workers, physicians, medical residents, faculty, fellows, trainees, contractors, students/visiting students, members of the medical staff, temporary workers and volunteer staff.

Novant Health is requiring team members to be fully vaccinated, the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based health system said July 22. Workers must be vaccinated by Sept. 15.   

Atrium Health is making vaccination mandatory for all teammates, the Charlotte, N.C.-based health system said July 22. Teammates, including remote workers, physicians, medical residents, faculty, fellows, trainees, contractors, students/visiting students, members of the medical staff, temporary workers and volunteer staff, must be fully vaccinated or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption by Oct. 31. 

Arkansas Children's in Little Rock is requiring that its leaders (managers, directors, vice presidents, senior vice presidents and executive vice presidents) receive a first vaccine dose as a condition of employment, according to a message sent July 22 from Marcy Doderer, president and CEO. Leaders must receive their first dose by Aug. 20 and be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30. Beginning Aug. 16, all new Arkansas Children's new hires will also be required to receive a first shot by their start date and a second one within 30 days of employment, said Ms. Doderer.       

OSF HealthCare, a multistate health system based in Peoria, Ill., said July 21 that it will require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September. The requirement does not apply to Michigan Nursing Association bargaining unit members. OSF HealthCare has 150 locations in Michigan and Illinois.

Banner Health will require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for its roughly 52,000 team members, the Phoenix-based health system said July 20. The deadline for employees to be fully vaccinated is Nov. 1, with limited exceptions. 

Southcoast Health, a three-hospital health system offering services in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, said vaccines will be mandated for all employees, staff and providers once at least one of the vaccines receives full FDA approval, The Standard-Times reported July 20. Employees will be able to request exemptions if they have documented medical and religious reasons, or if they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Valley Health, a Winchester, Va.-based health system with 6,300 employees and affiliated physicians, said July 19 that it will add COVID-19 vaccination to its list of required vaccinations for all employees, medical staff members and contractors. Health system officials said the standard is effective immediately for new employees, who must provide evidence of vaccination or complete the vaccination series two weeks before beginning work. Employees who are managers or above and medical staff members must provide evidence of prior completion of the vaccination series or receive their first dose by Aug. 16. Remaining staff have until Nov. 1 to either obtain an exemption or be fully vaccinated.

Tidelands Health in Georgetown, S.C., said July 16 that it will mandate vaccination for employees, employed providers, volunteers, learners and contractors. Employees have until Sept. 7 to comply, and the health system is providing an attestation and declination process for those who cannot get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons. Tidelands Health said employees who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 may also choose to decline the shot.

Hackensack Meridian Health, a 17-hospital system based in Edison, N.J., will require its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, NorthJersey.com reported July 15. A memo to employees cited by NorthJersey.com gave Nov. 15 as the deadline for the mandate. Workers, including physicians and nurses, must receive at least one dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson shots by Oct. 1 and a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna by Nov. 15. The deadline to request an exemption is Aug. 16. 

Beacon Health System in South Bend, Ind., said July 15 that it will require employees and others who work regularly at a Beacon facility to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1. Employees may request an exemption.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., will require its entire staff to get the vaccine, according to an employee newsletter distributed July 15. All hospital leaders must get the first dose or achieve a medical exemption by Aug. 15 They must fully be vaccinated by Sept. 15. The deadline for all employees is under consideration.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson said July 15 that it will implement a new vaccination policy requiring those who work or learn in a medical center-controlled space to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with limited exceptions, or wear an N95 mask while at any medical center facility. Medical center officials said those who are fully vaccinated will only be required to wear a mask of their choosing or as determined according to the clinical situation in patient care areas. The policy will be phased in over three months, with all who work in a medical center-controlled space required to be fully vaccinated or wearing an N95 mask at all times on or by Nov. 1.

Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare said July 14 that it will require COVID-19 vaccination for its employees. Health system officials said employees may apply for an exemption, but those without an approved exemption must show proof of vaccination by the end of September.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital said July 14 that the Memphis, Tenn.-based hospital and its foundation partner, ALSAC, are requiring that St. Jude and Memphis-area ALSAC employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 9. In a memo, St. Jude President and CEO James Downing, MD, told employees they must have their final dose scheduled and administered by the deadline, or, if vaccinated outside of St. Jude, have the documentation to the hospital by the deadline date.

University of Chicago Medicine will require its workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a July 13 memo to students, faculty and staff. The mandate will apply to employees of University of Chicago Medical Center and to medical center volunteers and contractors at both the Hyde Park campus and other medical center sites, health system leaders wrote. They added that the mandate may be subject to discussion with unions representing workers.

Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta said June 12 it is requiring leaders, physicians, providers and new employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with plans to eventually extend the mandate to all its more than 23,000 workers. As of Sept. 1, the mandate will apply to that initial group and to the rest of Piedmont's employees in "the near future," following Sept. 1.

Virtua Health in Marlton, N.J., will require its more than 14,000 workforce members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Virtua employees must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 15. Virtua said July 12 that all employees, regardless of vaccination status, will continue to maintain COVID-19 safety protocols per CDC guidelines, and it will consider employee requests for exemptions based on religious beliefs or disability/medical condition. 

Uvalde (Texas) Memorial Hospital is requiring its 493 employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees were notified of the mandate July 7 and have until Aug. 6 to obtain an initial or final dose of the shot of their choice. Uvalde Memorial said July 12 that staff may apply for medical exemptions or religious objections.

Inova Health System in Falls Church, Va. informed its 18,000 employees that they will have to be vaccinated by Sept. 1.

Trinity Health in Livonia, Mich., will require its 117,000 employees across 22 states to get the COVID-19 vaccine after the number of employees who received at least one shot stagnated at 75 percent.

St. Luke's Health System in Boise, Idaho, will require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a memo sent to employees July 8 from Chris Roth, president and CEO of the health system. St. Luke's will require all employees, providers, volunteers and contractors to receive their first vaccine dose by Sept. 1. 

Mercy in St. Louis will require its 40,000 employees across 44 hospitals and healthcare facilities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, health system officials said on July 7. All employees will be required to be vaccinated by Sept. 30.

University Hospital in Newark, N.J. will require all of its employees to be vaccinated, according to a June 30 report.

Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health officials said in a June 30 press conference that all health system employees will be mandated to get the vaccine, however, the deadline is still being determined.

Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The hospitals' CEO and president, Jim Shmerling, PhD, said hospital employees will have until Sept. 30 to get vaccinated, according to a June 29 letter to employees.

Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, which employs more than 33,000 people, said June 29 it will require its workforce to be vaccinated, effective Sept. 10. The requirement applies to team members, students, volunteers and contractors. 

SSM Health in St. Louis said June 28 it will require its nearly 40,000 employees, providers and volunteers to be fully vaccinated by late September. Team members can request a medical or religious exemption.

Medical University of South Carolina Health employees were provided a final deadline of June 30 to be vaccinated, or to obtain a medical or religious exemption, as part of the Charleston-based health system's mandate. The health system fired five out of about 17,000 employees for noncompliance.

Mass General Brigham will require employees to be vaccinated, the Boston-based health system said June 24. The requirement will apply to Mass General Brigham's 80,000 employees once one of the three vaccines being distributed in the U.S. is fully approved by the FDA. The health system said employees will be able to request exemption if they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Employees may also request an exemption for medical and religious reasons. A deadline for the mandate will be determined after FDA approval. 

Beth Israel Lahey Health in Cambridge, Mass., said June 24 it plans to require all physicians and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu as a condition of employment. Flu vaccination will be required later this year, and COVID-19 vaccination for employees will be required after one of the vaccines is fully approved by the FDA.

Wellforce in Burlington, Mass., which includes Boston-based Tufts Medical Center, will require vaccination for employees, the system said June 24. The requirement takes effect after full FDA approval of one of the vaccines, which is expected later this year.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston said it will require employees to be vaccinated, The Boston Globe reported June 24. Dana-Farber will wait until after the FDA fully approves a vaccine.

The Connecticut Hospital Association said June 24 it has adopted a consensus, statewide policy reflecting a commitment by the state's hospitals and health systems to implement mandatory vaccination for employees and clinical staff. The association will develop best practices for implementation.

Meritus Health in Hagerstown, Md., said June 16 it will require vaccination for employees. The requirement applies to employees, medical staff members, volunteers, contractors and partners. As of Aug. 1, new employees must be vaccinated before starting work, the health system said. And as of Sept. 1, all employees, medical staff, volunteers, contractors and partners must be vaccinated or will need to be tested every 14 days. Meritus Health is providing medical and religious exemptions. 

BJC HealthCare in St. Louis will require employees to be fully vaccinated beginning in the fall, according to a June 15 statement from the health system. Employees and those who work in BJC facilities must comply with the mandate by Sept. 15 or receive a medical or religious exception.

San Francisco will require personnel in high-risk settings such as skilled nursing facilities, acute care hospitals, homeless shelters and jails to be vaccinated, the city said June 14. The requirement takes effect once one of the vaccines being distributed in the U.S. receives full FDA approval. 

University of California Health will require COVID-19 vaccines for faculty, staff, academic appointees and students accessing University of California campuses this fall, the system said June 14.

NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City said all employees, physicians, students, clinical rotators, volunteers and vendors must have received their first dose no later than Sept. 1. For two-dose vaccines, workers must complete the vaccination process on the prescribed timeline. Newly hired employees also must follow a vaccination or exemption process. 

Community Health Network in Indianapolis is requiring employees to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 15 unless they receive exemptions for religious or medical reasons, according to a June 10 news release. The requirement applies to vendors, contractors and volunteers who work at Community's hospitals and care sites.

The District of Columbia Hospital Association, said June 9 that hospitals in Washington, D.C., signed a consensus statement to mandate vaccination for their workers. Each of the 14 hospitals will set their own vaccination deadline.   

University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore announced June 9 that it will require vaccination for current and new employees. The 13-hospital health system said teammembers and partners who remain unvaccinated will be required to get tested weekly, and health system leaders at the manager level and above will have until Aug. 1 to be vaccinated or comply with weekly testing. Beginning Sept. 1, all teammembers will be required to get inoculated or participate in weekly testing.

The Maryland Hospital Association said June 7 that hospitals and health systems in the state signed a consensus statement to mandate vaccination for their workers. Each organization will set their own vaccination deadline.

Indiana University Health in Indianapolis is requiring employees to be fully vaccinated, The Indianapolis Star reported June 1.  Employees must be vaccinated by Sept. 1 or obtain an exemption.

University of Louisville (Ky.) Health is requiring team members and providers, including residents, fellows and rotating students, to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 1, according to a May 26 news release.

RWJBarnabas Health in West Orange, N.J., is requiring supervisors and employees ranked above them to be vaccinated no later than June 30 and said May 20 that it plans to extend the mandate to all employees.

University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia said May 19 that it is making the vaccine mandatory for all employees and clinical staff by no later than Sept. 1. New hires must provide proof of at least one dose two weeks before beginning work.  

Benefis Health System in Great Falls, Mont., said May 19 it made the vaccine mandatory for about 250 employees working in senior services. Employees who are not exempt are required to get their second doses by July 1.

Houston Methodist rolled out its mandatory vaccination policy March 31, with April 15 as the deadline for managers to receive at least one dose or get an exemption. All employees had a deadline of midnight June 7 to get the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the health system's mandate. The count as of June 8: Nearly 100 percent compliance with 24,947 workers being fully vaccinated. 

IV.

11 bans on vaccine mandates — What states have them & which might soon (beckershospitalreview.com)

11 bans on vaccine mandates — What states have them & which might soon

Hannah Mitchell - 23 hours ago [08 03 21 2:45PM.VM]

Nine states have enacted 11 laws with prohibitions on COVID-19 vaccine mandates, according to a July 29 report from the National Academy for State Health Policy.

In six of these states, the governor has already signed the bills. In three states, the bills have passed in the House of Representative and Senate, but are awaiting the governor's final approval. 

Note: All bills have been signed by the governor unless otherwise noted.

Arizona: Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for employees with sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances that prevent them from getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Exceptions can be made if it poses a hardship for business operations. The bill prohibits the establishment of a COVID-19 vaccine passport. However, healthcare institutions can require employees be vaccinated.

Arkansas: State agencies and state officials are prohibited from requiring people to get the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. These agencies cannot coerce individuals who refuse the vaccine by withholding career advancements, wage increases or insurance discounts. [State Agencies.VM]

Michigan: In a bill that passed in both chambers, any entity of the state that receives funding from producing, developing or issuing a COVID-19 vaccine passport is prohibited. Any public funds are prohibited from being used to implement a vaccine mandate program of an employer or state government.

Montana: An employer cannot discriminate against an employee based on their vaccination status. They cannot refuse employment or withhold wage increases based on having a COVID-19 vaccine. An individual cannot be required to get a vaccine that only has emergency use authorization or is undergoing safety trials.

New Hampshire: Employers can only mandate a vaccine as a condition of employment if there is a direct threat to the safety of others that cannot be reduced by reasonable accommodations. Any government agency is banned from compelling individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine or provide proof of vaccination status to receive a public service or use a public facility.

North Dakota: A government entity cannot require documentation of an individual's vaccination status to receive public services, funds or use public property. A state government cannot require private businesses to obtain documentation of vaccination status for communicating the status before employment.

Ohio: In a bill that has passed in both chambers, private and public entities are banned from requiring an individual to receive a vaccine that is not fully approved by the FDA. Unvaccinated staff members can't be required to refrain from or engage in activities or precautions that differ from those who have received the vaccine.

Tennessee: A state agency, department or political subdivision cannot require individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Restrictions on State Agencies. VM]

Texas: In a bill that passed both chambers, employers are banned from refusing to hire, discharging or discriminating against an individual because the individual does not provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Utah: A government entity is prohibited from requiring an individual to get the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment or participate in an activity, before it's fully approved by the FDA. [Restricts Govt Agency.VM]

V.

Developing a vaccination Strategy. I wonder if we can borrow this illustration: You are ESSENTIAL!!! Could be the Caption. I would like for us during and after we develop the policy  to convey a Positive Self -Enhancing Message by exercising collaborative personal autonomy and self advocacy . It also emphasizes this FACT- Vaccination adds one more layer of protection.[… we need this to keep you safe because you are essential to the Mission of ARC and to facilitate this process is consistent with the Vision and Values of Aware Recovery Care. VM.  This Is a CDC document. [Item IV from a previous Mailing] Velandy Manohar, MD., DLFAPA, Med. Director, CT Aware Recovery Care.