Although the policy allows exemptions for medical or religious reasons, a NCH Healthcare System committee must first approve any such waivers. Clinicians and volunteers who do apply for an exemption would be required to wear face masks while in the system’s hospitals.
Of the 1,500 people that had been vaccinated as of Oct. 2, none had filed for an exception, NCH’s director of infection prevention Georgine Kruedelbach, BSN, told the News Press.
“[The vaccine policy is] for patient and staff safety,” said Ms. Kruedelbach. “We certainly don’t want any patients to catch something while they’re here. And we want to protect our staff.”
NCH’s vaccine or waiver deadline is set for Nov. 1.
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