UnityPoint Health announced on Thursday all employees need to be vaccinated by Nov. 1. The email they sent to their staff had more details than the press release contained.
“Our decision is extremely intentional and comes after several weeks of input requested from key stakeholder groups across the organization,” the email from CEO Clay Holderman said. “Our leaders deliberately sought to understand various perspectives and consider impact to team members. Ultimately, the decision to require COVID-19 vaccination was unanimously supported by our Clinical Specialist Group, our senior leadership teams and our UPH Board of Directors.”
In addition to UnityPoint’s employees and staff, contractors and travelers employed by UnityPoint must receive the vaccine as well.
Employees may apply for religious or medical exemptions similar to what they may do for the influenza vaccine, however, those who do not receive the vaccine will be required “to mask at all times.”
Employees who are pregnant are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, but a temporary exemption will be given if staff want to wait until the completion of their pregnancy.
“We strongly advise all pregnant individuals to receive COVID-19 vaccination as data indicates it is a very effective and safe vaccine for pregnant individuals,” the email states later.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required and any employee who does not comply and isn’t eligible for medical or religious exemptions or a pregnancy deferral will be subject to voluntary resignation or termination.
The email also addresses the fact “some online sources advise people against getting the vaccine. How do I know which sources to trust?”
The answer:
“It’s important to seek out information from trusted sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your state health department.”
It also states to send specific questions to a UnityPoint email address where a Clinical Specialist Group will reply.
Employees are required to receive at least one dose of the vaccine by Oct. 1 unless an exemption is filed.
The email ends:
“Thank you for your continued dedication to keeping each other safe, as well as putting safety at the center of all we do for those we serve.”
