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Geisinger, based in Montour County, one of Pennsylvania’s leading healthcare systems, said on Wednesday that all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 15.
The announcement comes three days after the federal government gave full approval to the Pfizer vaccine, which, like the other two vaccines available in the United States, was being administered under an emergency use authorization. The approval is expected to open the door to many more immunization mandates.
“Based on overwhelming evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, we believe it is the right decision at the right time to protect our patients and employees and slow the spread of this deadly virus in our communities, ”said Geisinger CEO Dr. Jaewon Ryu. “We understand that some employees who have deliberately chosen not to be vaccinated may be disappointed by this decision. We hope they understand that this is a necessary step to protect the health of our patients and their colleagues. “
He further said, “With new variants taking hold causing COVID-19 to increase locally, nationally and in our hospitals, our communities cannot afford healthcare workers to be without. work because of COVID-19. “
Geisinger said he would grant exemptions for medical and religious reasons, as Geisinger does with mandatory vaccinations against flu, measles, mumps, rubella and whooping cough.
Non-executives who meet the October 15 deadline will receive a $ 500 bonus for “demonstrating a commitment to our values and ensuring the safety of our patients, communities and colleagues”.
Geisinger said about 70% of employees are already fully vaccinated. Geisinger has several hospitals and additional health care departments spread across many counties in north central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
York-based WellSpan Health said last week that unvaccinated staff who work around patients must either be vaccinated or undergo regular testing starting September 12. Tower Health said last week it would require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 once the vaccines receive full approval. Tower Health is the parent company of Reading Hospital in Berks County and other hospitals in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, which includes Lancaster General in Lancaster County, was one of the first healthcare systems in the country to impose a vaccination mandate on employees, with all employees to be fully immunized by September 1.
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