TOM: DOZENS OF HEALTH CARE GROUPS INCLUDINGHE T AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS RELEASED A JOINT STATEMENT. THEY THINKHE T VACCINE FOR COVID-19 SHOULD BE MANDAD ATTE FACILIESTI LIKE UPMC HERE IN HARRISBURG. BUT A LOT OF HOSPITALS WILL NOT IMPLEMENT SUCH A MANDATE AT LEAST FOR NOW. UPMC HEALTHCARE WORKERS FIRST STARTING GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE LATE LAST YEAR. SINCE THEN 70% OF ITS WORKFORCE HAS GOTTEN VACCINATED. BUT THE VACCINE IS ONLY RECOMMENDED, NOT REQUIRED FOR UPMC STAFF. LEADING HEALTH GROUPS LIKE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION SAY THE VACCINE OUGHT TO BE MANDATORY IN HOSPITALS ANVACCD INATION IS THE , PRIMARY WAY TO PUTHE T PANDEMIC BEHIND US AND AVOID THE RETURN OF STRINGENT PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES. >> I’M NOT DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ANTI-VAX. TOM: ERIC WINTER IS AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING WORKERS SEEKING EXEMPTIONS FROM LANCASTER GENERAL HOSPITAL’S COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMT.EN HE DISAGREES WITH THE PUSH FOR MANDATY ORVACCINATIO.NS >> THEY HAVE OTHER VACCINES. BUT THEY ARE SAYING BASED UPON THEIR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCEHE TY WANT TO HAVE , MORE TIME TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS. TOM: A COUPLE OF OTHER MAJOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN OUR REGION SUCH AS PENN STATE HEALTH AND WELLSP SANAY AT THIS POINT, THEY ARE NOT REQUIRING THE VACCINE FOR TIRHE EMPLOYEES BUT THEY ARE CERTAINLY STRONGLY URGING WORKERS TO GET IT. IN HARRISBURG, TOM LEHMAN, WGAL NE
Medical groups push for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers
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Updated: 5:15 PM EDT Jul 26, 2021
Dozens of medical groups are now pushing for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all health care and long-term care workers.More than 50 health care groups – including the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association – issued a joint statement Monday.The statement reads, in part, "Vaccination is the primary way to put the pandemic behind us and avoid the return of stringent public health measures."So far, only one major health care system in the Susquehanna Valley is requiring its employees to be vaccinated: Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.Eric Winter is an attorney representing workers seeking exemptions from that requirement. He disagrees with the push for mandatory vaccinations."They have other vaccines, but they're saying, based upon their professional training and experience, they want to have more time before they make a decision on this," he said.Other health systems in the region continue to urge employees to get the vaccine but have not required it.UPMC said more than 70% of its staff is vaccinated.Penn State Health said 82% of its staff and students received the vaccine.WellSpan Health is also encouraging its workers to get vaccinated.
Dozens of medical groups are now pushing for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all health care and long-term care workers.
More than 50 health care groups – including the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association – issued a joint statement Monday.
The statement reads, in part, "Vaccination is the primary way to put the pandemic behind us and avoid the return of stringent public health measures."
So far, only one major health care system in the Susquehanna Valley is requiring its employees to be vaccinated: Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
Eric Winter is an attorney representing workers seeking exemptions from that requirement. He disagrees with the push for mandatory vaccinations.
"They have other vaccines, but they're saying, based upon their professional training and experience, they want to have more time before they make a decision on this," he said.
Other health systems in the region continue to urge employees to get the vaccine but have not required it.
UPMC said more than 70% of its staff is vaccinated.
Penn State Health said 82% of its staff and students received the vaccine.
WellSpan Health is also encouraging its workers to get vaccinated.
