Nemours Children’s Health System announced it would require Covid-19 vaccination for all associates, effective Sept. 1.
Nemours has hospitals in Orlando, FL, and Wilmington and clinics in the Mid-Atlantic region. In Delaware, Nemours joins Saint Francis Healthcare and ChristianaCare in requiring vaccinations.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has objected to hospital systems mandating vaccinations but stopped short of saying he would take action. DeSantis has also objected to mandatory masking in schools.
Florida has seen an outbreak of coronavirus cases, with Delaware also seeing cases increase at a more modest rate.
According to a Nemours release, Covid-19 vaccination will be required for all associates as a term of employment, including remote workers, contractors, students, temporary staff, and volunteers. The first dose of a two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine must be administered by Sept. 1.
“As we face the challenges of a troubling resurgence of Covid-19 across the nation, we need to do everything we can to keep our pediatric patients and associates safe,” says Maureen Leffler, chief wellness officer for Nemours Children’s Health System. “Especially given all children under 12 years of age are still ineligible for vaccination, the best way to protect our patient families and to save lives in the communities we serve, is through vaccination of those who are eligible.”
Nemours has strongly encouraged vaccination for all associates since the first vaccine was received the Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration eight months ago.
“The administration of nearly 350 million vaccine doses in the U.S thus far has provided convincing data that vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing Covid-19 infection and protecting vaccinated individuals against severe illness, hospitalization, and death,” said Leffler. “The science is clear—the vaccines are saving lives.”
All associates must have their second dose or have an approved exemption request on file by October 6. The release concluded that under applicable laws, vaccine exemptions would only be allowed for specific medical conditions and religious beliefs.
