Providence Hospital System made a shocking announcement to its employees.
The healthcare giant, using its InOurCircle app — a platform meant to keep employees informed about company news — announced that all workers, irrespective of their vaccination status or previous booster shots, must now receive the most recent COVID-19 vaccine. What’s more, noncompliance may result in unpaid leave or even termination.
Per the announcement, all employees are required to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine, which was recently granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These updated mRNA vaccines gained approval on Tuesday, September 12, and are anticipated to become available soon.
The news was shared in a post on X by user @islantstudio:
BREAKING: MANDATORY COVID VACCINE for HEALTHCARE WORKERS The Providence Hospital System has announced a Nov 30 DEADLINE for all care providers! Are the healthcare workers going to continue to allow the government to tell them what is good for their health or finally take a stand?
DO NOT COMPLY
🚨 BREAKING: MANDATORY COVID VACCINE for HEALTHCARE WORKERS
— Chester Tam (@islantstudio) September 14, 2023
The Providence Hospital System has announced a Nov 30 DEADLINE for all care providers!
Are the healthcare workers going to continue to allow the government to tell them what is good for their health or finally take a… pic.twitter.com/u6KVztMypk
The Providence family of organizations constitutes a network of nonprofit healthcare entities in the United States. It ranks as the largest Catholic healthcare system in the nation, with more than 50 hospitals, 1,000 clinics, and a workforce of approximately 120,000 employees. These organizations operate across seven states: Alaska, California, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
Employees, referred to as “caregivers,” are mandated to furnish proof of vaccination by November 30th. Alternatively, those opting not to receive the vaccine may submit a “declination form.” Those who refuse to comply “will be removed from the schedule, placed on unpaid leave and may be subject to termination.”
The announcement listed several key requirements for employees:
- All caregivers must receive the newest vaccine and provide proof of vaccination by November 30.
- Employees who opt not to get vaccinated may submit a declination form. Those who already have an approved exemption do not need to submit a new declination.
- Employees who fail to comply by the November 30 deadline may be removed from the schedule, placed on unpaid leave, and could face termination for continued non-compliance.
- Caregivers who are fully remote and never report to an office are encouraged to be vaccinated but are not required to participate.
The new COVID-19 “vaccines” constitute a separate formulation, so regardless of prior vaccinations and booster shots, everyone is still required to receive this new version.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for the years 2023-2024. This decision underscores the FDA’s acknowledgment that previous vaccine versions are ineffective against more recent variants such as Omicron XBB.1.5.
