Beaumont Health to force COVID vaccines on staff and providers

Beaumont Health employees will soon need to be vaccinated against COVID-19, if they haven’t already.

The health system announced Wednesday that all employees will need to be vaccinated against the virus, or face suspension or dismissal if they refuse. The mandate will come into effect once the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) fully approves a current COVID vaccine.

Existing COVID vaccines have been cleared for emergency use, but have not yet been approved by the FDA. Full FDA approval of at least one circulating COVID vaccine is expected this fall.

Officials say all Beaumont employees and suppliers at all facilities will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within six weeks of full FDA approval.

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The health system also says the vaccine’s mandate could go into effect before FDA approval is granted, particularly if viral infections rise again in Michigan or if Beaumont Health experiences its fourth wave of the virus. Cases of COVID, fueled by the delta variant, are on the rise in Michigan and across the country.

Following: COVID-19 infections in Michigan double in 2 weeks

The health system says the decision was made as the delta variant of COVID continues to spread rapidly, mostly among unvaccinated people.

“We have a duty to protect our patients and our staff,” said John Fox, CEO of Beaumont Health. “The delta variant is the most contagious form of COVID-19. It spreads much faster than the original version of the virus. We want all members of the Beaumont team to stay healthy. The vaccine is the only safe and effective way to truly protect yourself against COVID-19. “

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The vaccination mandate will also be extended to volunteers at the Beaumont facilities.

Officials say team members who refuse to receive a COVID vaccine and do not meet specific exemptions will initially be suspended and ultimately fired. More specific details on the policy are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Related: Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health announce their intention to merge

Beaumont, one of Michigan’s largest healthcare systems, isn’t the only healthcare system in the state to mandate coronavirus vaccination. Spectrum Health and the Henry Ford Health System also require staff members to get vaccinated.

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Read more: Henry Ford Health System to Require COVID Vaccinations for All Employees

Recently released legal guidelines from the federal government suggest the law is on the side of employers and they have the right to require employees to be vaccinated.

President Biden is expected to announce Thursday that most federal employees will need to get vaccinated against the virus, otherwise they will be subject to regular COVID testing and social distancing, masking and travel restrictions.