Topline
Hospitals across the country are now firing those who don't comply with coronavirus vaccination requirements. This has raised concerns about potential staff shortages as mandates are implemented.
Diana Carolina, a Memorial Healthcare System pharmacist, is presented with a Pfizer BioNtech Covid-19... [+] vaccination by Monica Puga, ARNP at Memorial Healthcare System in Dec. Getty Images
The Key Facts
ChristianaCare CEO Janice Nevin stated Monday in a blog that around 150 employees were fired for not following the hospital's vaccination policy. Novant Health, North Carolina's largest hospital system, has fired more than 175 employees for not meeting the deadline for vaccination. The hospital stated Monday that most employees had been inoculated except those who submitted a medical or religious exemption. Forbes was informed by Northwell, New York's largest healthcare provider. The hospital said it had fired approximately two dozen employees for not following the system vaccine policy. This mandates inoculation for both clinic and non-clinical staff. It is a step beyond what the state mandates. Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, New York, stated that it has placed 7% on unpaid leave because they failed to get at least one dose of vaccine after suspending elective ICU surgeries and most ICU transfers last Wednesday in preparation for a possible staff shortage.
Tangent
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday that she would sign an executive to allow her to deploy medically-trained National Guard troops as well as retired healthcare workers in order to address staffing shortages. However, she said it wouldn't be her first choice. After the former New York Governor, all New York hospital and nursing home staff must have had at least one doses of coronavirus vaccine before Monday midnight. If they don't, they could lose their jobs. Andrew Cuomo issued a new mandate shortly after he resigned. The governor's office announced last week that 84% of New York's hospital workers were fully vaccinated. This includes 81% of adult care facilities staff and 77% of nurses home staff.
Important Background
A possible staff shortage is a concern as New York's deadline for healthcare workers to get vaccinated approaches. Some hospitals are putting off elective surgery or refusing to accept new ICU transfers from other hospitals due to the coronavirus vaccine mandate that went into effect Monday. To remain employed, healthcare workers must be vaccinated in New York and Rhode Island, Maine, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Regular testing is required for those in California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania who do not want to be vaxxed. USA TODAY reports that employees who refuse to be vaccinated will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. As part of President Joe Biden's plan to combat coronavirus, more than 17 million healthcare workers in Medicaid and Medicaid-participating facilities must be vaccinated.
Continue reading
Biden Orders Vaccine or-Test Mandat for Businesses with 100 Or More Employees (Forbes).
By the Numbers: Who Refuses Covid Vaccinations? Why (Forbes).
