Baptist to require COVID-19 vaccine for all employees – WAPT Jackson

THERE ARE MORE THAN 160 COVID-19 OUTBREAKS IN LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE IS REQUIRI NG ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES BE VACCINATED BY NOVEMBER 1ST… THE PRESIDENT AND THE O CE OF THE HOSPITAL SAYS THEY MADE THE DECISION AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION.. ABOUT 60% PERCENT OF BAPTIST’S 19 THOUSAND-PLUS EMPLOYEES IN ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE ARE VACCINED. AT THE PRESIDENT AND

Baptist to require COVID-19 vaccine for all employees

Baptist is the latest hospital system that will require the COVID-19 vaccine for employees. Baptist Memorial Health Care announced Thursday that all employees will be required to get the vaccine by Nov. 1. RELATED: Baptist hospital patient with COVID-19 approaches a week of waiting for ICU bed “After much consideration and discussion, our leadership team believes this is the best decision for our employees, patients and community,” said Baptist Memorial Health Care President and CEO Jason Little. “With the growing threat of COVID-19 variants and our duty to provide a safe environment for vulnerable patients, a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for our employees is the responsible and right thing to do.”Baptist reported that about 60% of its employees across Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are vaccinated. The overwhelming majority of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, Baptist officials said, are unvaccinated. “As health care providers, it’s important that we set the example and take the lead in protecting our community,” Little said. Baptist will have a process in place for employees who cannot get the vaccine for health and other reasons, similar to the process Baptist follows for the flu vaccine requirement.In July, the University of Mississippi Medical Center also updated its policy, announcing that all employees and students would be required to get vaccinated or wear an N95 mask while at a UMMC facility. The policy at UMMC is set to begin on or before Nov. 1.

Baptist is the latest hospital system that will require the COVID-19 vaccine for employees.

Baptist Memorial Health Care announced Thursday that all employees will be required to get the vaccine by Nov. 1.

RELATED: Baptist hospital patient with COVID-19 approaches a week of waiting for ICU bed

“After much consideration and discussion, our leadership team believes this is the best decision for our employees, patients and community,” said Baptist Memorial Health Care President and CEO Jason Little. “With the growing threat of COVID-19 variants and our duty to provide a safe environment for vulnerable patients, a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for our employees is the responsible and right thing to do.”

Baptist reported that about 60% of its employees across Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee are vaccinated. The overwhelming majority of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, Baptist officials said, are unvaccinated.

“As health care providers, it’s important that we set the example and take the lead in protecting our community,” Little said.

Baptist will have a process in place for employees who cannot get the vaccine for health and other reasons, similar to the process Baptist follows for the flu vaccine requirement.

In July, the University of Mississippi Medical Center also updated its policy, announcing that all employees and students would be required to get vaccinated or wear an N95 mask while at a UMMC facility. The policy at UMMC is set to begin on or before Nov. 1.