COVID-19Employees

Statewide vaccination mandate issued for health care workers

A special work group has been formed to evaluate the mandate and what it will mean for Asante’s workforce.
ARRMC emergency physician Courtney Wilson, MD, got her shot as soon as it became available last winter.

Updated Aug. 23

The dramatic increase in the number of COVID-positive test results and critical surge of hospitalizations has led Gov. Kate Brown to issue a statewide mandate requiring vaccination for health care workers and K-12 educators.

In a news conference on Tuesday, the governor said educators and health care workers are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later. The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine on Monday, Aug. 23, so the vaccination deadline is Oct. 18.

Earlier this month, the governor issued an order for unvaccinated health care workers to submit to weekly testing in lieu of vaccination. That option is now off the table.

Asante hit a record-high COVID census on Friday, with 167 patients hospitalized across the system. Likewise, the Medford testing site now averages 600 people a day. About 20% of Asante COVID tests yield a positive result, which means the surge is likely to continue for the next few weeks. Modeling from OHSU shows that without stronger mitigation, Oregon could see over 1,000 COVID hospitalizations by Sept. 3. There are 606 ICU beds in use in all of Oregon.

Before this  mandate, Oregon employers could not legally require any kind of vaccine for health care workers under a 32-year-old state law.

Asante Human Resources has put together a work group to review the state’s mandate and determine how to implement the new measure, which could affect up to 35% of Asante’s workforce who remain unvaccinated against COVID. Details will be shared as soon as they become available.

Tags: covid-19, Gov. Kate Brown, mandate, vaccination
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4 Comments.

  • Norma Poillon
    August 24, 2021 7:05 am

    Two weeks ago I reluctantly submitted to my first shot (Moderna). Afterwards I struggled with that decision and ultimately decided not to get the 2nd. With this mandate is it possible to get Pfizer as the second shot as this one has been approved by the FDA?

  • Will you be accepting medical and religious exemptions?

  • What about religious and medical exemptions? I’ve spoken to dozen clinical staff, nurses and CNA’s who stated they will not get it and will look for a new job and/or be fired. This could exacerbate our shortage more.
    We need exemptions or we will all be left holding the weight of a bag we can’t manage.

  • Avatar photo
    Shirleen Holt
    August 24, 2021 8:29 am

    These questions and more are being considered by the Asante work group. As the plan is finalized, that group will be communicating its decisions to all employees.

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