NAPLES, Fla. – July 21, 2021 The NCH Healthcare System has kept the health and safety of all staff, physicians and patients a top priority during the entire COVID-19 pandemic. As we reviewed our current vaccination policy, we focused on the health of our team and community and reviewed national guidelines to guide policy changes. The new NCH vaccination policy complies with all federal, state and local rules and regulations and was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recommendations.
The vaccination policy applies to all employees, contractors and volunteers. Non-employed medical staff are currently not included in the policy. Starting August 16, all new hires will be required to complete the COVID-19 vaccine series within four weeks of their hire date. This policy is similar to our current flu vaccination policy which allows for exemptions. Exemptions are outlined in detail in the policy.
Similar to the flu vaccine, if employees have a formal and approved exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine, masks and social distancing will be required at all times while on NCH campuses. Please refer to the policy for those who do not comply.
Any fully vaccinated employee under this policy who: (1) experiences side effects in the day(s) following receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine(s), or (2) subsequently contracts the COVID-19 virus, or (3) has an unvaccinated child under 12 years old who contracts the COVID-19 virus, will be provided sufficient paid-time-off (“PTO”) by NCH independent of any accrued or otherwise available PTO.
The new COVID-19 vaccination policy will be available on the NCH website and will be available upon request.
Click here to read the new NCH Healthcare System vaccination policy which goes into effect August 16.
###
