The state’s largest private employer will require Covid-19 vaccinations.
ChristianaCare joins a growing number of health care systems and hospitals across the nation in requiring vaccinations. Earlier, Trinity Health, whose hospital roster includes Wilmington’s Saint Francis, issued an order for mandatory vaccinations.
All caregivers (the term ChristianaCare for medical-dental staff, residents, students, and others) are covered by the vaccination requirement.
“Over the past eight months, we have served our community by administering thousands of vaccines to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. President Joe Biden was among those who rolled up their sleeves at ChristianaCare to protect themselves and others,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., and CEO. “Since then, approximately 10,000 of our caregivers have opted for the vaccinations, which have been proven safe and effective at providing lasting immunity to COVID-19 and reducing severe illness.”
ChristianaCare has about 14,500 caregivers, although a spokesperson noted that the health care system is still working to determine the number who have received vaccine from outside its system.
with only state government having a larger number of employees. Local and state governments around the nation have not made vaccinations mandatory. However, some states, including New York, are moving toward a mandate.
The Biden Administration is reportedly moving toward a policy that would require federal employees to get vaccinated or otherwise undergo regular testing.
The decision comes as a growing number of professional organizations urge all health care facilities to require workers to get vaccinated, a ChristianaCare release stated. Organizations include the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Hospital Association, America’s Essential Hospitals, and the American College of Surgeons.
Vaccine exemptions will only be allowed for specific medical conditions and religious beliefs.
