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But the legal situation is confusing at best, with states and local governments often opposing federal efforts. In Florida, where AdventHealth, HCA, and UF Health Jacksonville are suspending their requirements, Governor Ron DeSantis prohibited vaccination requirements by private employers shortly after the federal government published its rule for healthcare workers.
It’s also unclear exactly how many healthcare workers still need to be vaccinated. During a study As of mid-September, 30 percent of hospital workers were not fully vaccinated by federal investigators, with overall immunization rates climbing in the past few months. The HCA, which employs about 275,000 workers and operates in 20 states, said most of its employees were fully vaccinated, but did not elaborate. Neither AdventHealth nor UF Health Jacksonville said how many of their employees have been vaccinated. Unlike nursing homes, hospitals are not required to publicly disclose their vaccination rates.
But many hospitals insist that they continue their efforts to persuade workers. “Based on the scientific evidence and what we see every day in our hospitals, Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective in reducing both the risk of infection and the level of harm in the event of a new infection,” AdventHealth said in a statement. .
Hospitals are “fully committed to ensuring their workforces are vaccinated,” said Chip Kahn, CEO of the American Hospitals Federation, which represents nonprofit chains like HCA.
Much of the opposition to the requirements is over concerns that workers who object to the vaccine will leave. Many hospital chains said the departures were not large, but Mr. Kahn stressed that even a small number of resignations can be devastating. “These small numbers can really be a problem,” he said.
Some hospital companies said they will monitor alternatives to keep patients and staff safe. Estimating that about 85 percent of its employees are fully vaccinated, the Cleveland Clinic said it added more precautions “including periodic testing for those providing direct clinical care.”
Ann Marie Pettis, president of the Association of Infection Control and Epidemiologists, who supports a mission for healthcare professionals, said hospitals that don’t want to insist on vaccines are focusing on testing their employees. “They don’t just put their hands up and say it’s free for everyone,” he said.
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