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In Mass General Brigham, the state’s largest hospital system, more than 95% of employees have been vaccinated. But around 4,000 workers have yet to receive their vaccines or provide proof of vaccination before the system’s Oct. 15 deadline.
Rosemary Sheehan, director of human resources, admitted that some of those employees would lose their jobs. “I hope it’s hundreds and not nearly a thousand,” she said.
Hospitals in Massachusetts and many parts of the country are requiring employees to get vaccinated to protect patients and colleagues from the spread of the virus and to help end the pandemic.
The vast majority of healthcare workers rolled up their sleeves when vaccines became available, but a small fraction are so opposed to them that they are ready to lose their jobs.
In Rhode Island last week, more than 300 people demonstrated at State House to support health workers who had refused to comply with the state’s vaccine mandate.
In New York and California, statewide mandates for healthcare workers appear to have increased vaccination rates. Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider, said this week that 1,400 of its employees have quit their jobs in excess of the requirement, or less than 2% of the workforce. Northwell. Overall, the number of healthcare workers leaving their jobs because of the vaccine in New York City is not causing the kind of shortage some feared, The New York Times reported.
Massachusetts Hospital executives have said they don’t want to have to fire anyone, but if employees turn down an effective vaccine to protect themselves and others, they shouldn’t be working in an industry steeped in science and treating people. vulnerable.
“It’s a very difficult time for everyone, and we try to respond with what’s best for our patients,” Sheehan said. “It was the beacon that guided all of our decisions. “
At Beth Israel Lahey Health, 91% of the workforce has been vaccinated, but around 3,000 employees have yet to comply with the requirement to be vaccinated before October 31. Managing director Dr Kevin Tabb said he expects most to get vaccinated by the end of the month, but a few hundred could lose their jobs.
“The vast majority do not categorically refuse to be vaccinated,” Tabb said. “There were hesitations and we are getting over them. “
Beth Israel Lahey Health is among Massachusetts hospital systems making contingency plans – including staff shuffles and increased hires – in case it is expected to lay off large numbers of employees.
“We are not currently planning to cut services,” said Tabb. “We don’t think the addition of. . . a small number of employees who choose not to be vaccinated will tip the scales. The biggest challenge for us is the large number of open positions that we and other health systems have – unrelated to immunization. “
UMass Memorial Health Care is giving employees until November 1 to get vaccinated. So far, around 90 percent have been vaccinated. If “we have to lay off unvaccinated workers, it will unfortunately have an impact on our ability to provide care and services to people in our region,” spokesman Tony Berry said. “We will do everything we can not to have to resort to program closures, but. . we may have no other choice.
Boston Medical Center workers have until Oct. 15 to receive a dose of the vaccine, and so far 90 percent of the 9,500 workers have done so.
The total number of Massachusetts hospital workers losing their jobs due to vaccination warrants will not become clear for weeks. Many hospitals put workers on unpaid leave and give them a grace period to get vaccinated before terminating their employment.
Workers can request medical or religious exemptions, but hospitals rarely grant them.
Workers who quit or are fired from a hospital after refusing the vaccine will have limited options if they want to continue working in healthcare. COVID vaccination is almost universally required for workers in Massachusetts healthcare facilities – and now too with many employers outside of health care.
In the Wellforce hospital system, which includes Tufts Medical Center, 97.5% of employees were vaccinated by the October 1 deadline. About 325 people did not receive the shots. Wellforce spokeswoman Brooke Hynes said it was too early to know how many would end up losing their jobs.
“It’s a tough market, so you never want to lose anyone, but we have to provide the safest environment for our patients,” Hynes noted. “We think that’s what they depend on us for.”
The experience of some hospitals with past vaccination deadlines shows that near universal compliance is possible.
Of the workforce at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 99.4% were vaccinated, while 54 people were suspended without pay for refusing the vaccine. They have two weeks to start their vaccinations or quit their jobs.
“The mandates send the right message about the critical importance of vaccination in controlling the pandemic, and they are producing real results,” said Dr. Craig Bunnell, Chief Medical Officer.
The fact that Dana-Farber specializes in treating immunocompromised patients who are at a higher risk of getting sick from COVID has likely convinced employees to get vaccinated, Bunnell said. “We have a particular focus on cancer and our patients are among the most vulnerable people in society,” he said.
More than 99% of the Springfield-based Baystate Health workforce also received their vaccines by the Oct. 1 deadline, while 145 people have been put on leave and have two weeks to get vaccinated ” if they wish to continue their employment, ”Baystate officials mentioned.
In Massachusetts, the next few weeks will be crucial for the vaccination of healthcare workers. The state has not mandated vaccination for everyone, but almost all hospitals have agreed to require the vaccine for their employees, setting deadlines in October and November. The Baker administration also made vaccination mandatory for long-term care and home care workers.
“Right now, the push is really education,” said Sheehan of Mass General Brigham, noting that the healthcare system provides information online, in print and through one-on-one conversations with employees.
“I am cautiously optimistic,” she said. “The numbers are improving every day. Like anything else, a small part of the population will wait until the last minute.
Priyanka Dayal McCluskey can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @priyanka_dayal.
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