13 states or cities requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers

The number of cities and states requiring COVID-19 vaccination for employees is growing amid the latest COVID-19 wave.

Here are the cities and states that announced mandates in August:

Note: This list was updated Sept. 1. 

1. The Colorado Board of Health voted Aug. 30 to implement a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, The Hill reported. Workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other state healthcare facilities must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 31, according to the measure.

2. Illinois announced a vaccination requirement Aug. 26 for healthcare workers, including nursing home employees. State officials said those who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine must get tested for COVID-19 at least once weekly.

3. Maryland is requiring vaccination or regular testing for nursing home and hospital employees, The Washington Post reported Aug. 18. Workers must receive their first dose by Sept. 1 or undergo regular screening and testing.

4. In Rhode Island, employees, interns and volunteers in state-licensed healthcare facilities and all state-licensed healthcare providers must receive their final dose by Oct. 1, according to an Aug. 18 news release. Before Oct. 1, any unvaccinated worker in a state-licensed healthcare facility must wear a face mask and be tested at least twice weekly, state officials said. The officials also said workers in state-licensed facilities who are not vaccinated by Oct. 1 will not be allowed to enter a healthcare facility unless they provide proof of a medical exemption. 

5. New Mexico said Aug. 17 that workers in certain medical close-contact congregate settings, including hospitals and nursing homes, must be vaccinated, with limited exceptions. Unless they qualify for an exemption, unvaccinated workers must have received their first dose within 10 days of Aug. 17 and their second dose within 40 days of receiving the first.

6. Washington, D.C., is requiring that healthcare workers receive at least the first dose of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, officials said Aug. 16. Workers must comply by Sept. 30. 

7. New York announced Aug. 16 that the state is requiring healthcare workers to get their first COVID-19 vaccine dose by Sept. 27. The requirement includes staff at hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

8. Philadelphia is requiring that healthcare workers be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 twice per week, ABC 6 reported Aug. 13. Healthcare workers must be vaccinated by Oct. 15 unless they have a religious or medical exemption.

9. Maine will require healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1, officials said Aug. 12. The requirement applies to those employed by a hospital, multilevel healthcare facility, home health agency, nursing facility, residential care facility or intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities that is licensed by the state. The requirement also applies to those employed by emergency medical service organizations or dental practices.

10. In Pennsylvania, about 25,000 employees in state healthcare facilities and high-risk congregate care facilities will be required to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 7, Gov. Tom Wolf's office said Aug. 10. Unvaccinated employees must get tested weekly. Mr. Wolf's office said his state is also requiring that all new external hires in these facilities get vaccinated before beginning employment, starting Sept. 7. 

11. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation Aug. 9 requiring that most state employees and all healthcare workers be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18. The requirement applies to most state executive branch employees and on-site contractors and volunteers, along with public and private healthcare and long-term care workers, the governor said.

12. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order Aug. 6, instituting a vaccination requirement for workers in certain state and private healthcare facilities and high-risk congregate settings. Workers must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 7 or be subject to testing at least one to two times weekly. 

13. California issued an order Aug. 5 requiring workers in healthcare to be vaccinated. The order applies to workers in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and most other healthcare settings. Workers who do not qualify for a medical or religious exemption need to receive their second shot by Sept. 30. Unvaccinated exempt workers must meet testing and safety requirements.

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