Although the federal requirement that healthcare workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been lifted, a statement signed by the nation’s leading infection control groups and various other associations emphasizes the importance of mandatory vaccination by individual hospitals.
“As healthcare professionals who are dedicated to the prevention of infectious diseases and patient organizations representing populations uniquely vulnerable to infections, we are committed to protecting patients from communicable diseases whenever possible,” the statement reads.1
“Those of us who are healthcare professionals have an ethical responsibility to protect the individuals entrusted to our care from contracting vaccine-preventable diseases while receiving treatment in healthcare facilities.” Signatories on the statement include the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the American Nurses Association, and several groups representing public health or immunocompromised patients.
The groups call for mandating all shots recommended for healthcare workers by the vaccine advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This would include the latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine, which was approved by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration and became available in September 2023.
As required by federal regulations, vaccine exemptions should be provided for religious objections and medical contraindications, the organizations concede in the statement. “A number of states are introducing legislation that would make it illegal for employers to require certain vaccines for their employees,” the statement continues. “Some of these bills target healthcare facilities specifically, restricting their ability to require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment and could impact other immunizations recommended by [the CDC], such as influenza, measles, and varicella. Our organizations encourage state political leaders to work with public health agencies to address concerns and ensure that accurate, science-based information is provided to help inform the public about vaccine efficacy/effectiveness and risks.”
REFERENCE
- Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. National organizations in infection prevention and epidemiology and organizations representing immunocompromised patients support required vaccination of healthcare workers to keep patients and residents safe. Oct. 2, 2023. https://apic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MultiSocietyVaccineStatement-FINAL.pdf
Although the federal requirement that healthcare workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been lifted, a statement signed by the nation’s leading infection control groups and various other associations emphasizes the importance of mandatory vaccination by individual hospitals.
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