Employees not already vaccinated will have until September 15 to comply with the new policy, which is a condition of employment.
VANCOUVER — For the safety of patients and staff, Vancouver Clinic will require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Caring for people is the clinic’s first priority, and this decision supports that mission.
“The delta variant has placed our patients, clinicians, staff and families at increased risk,” said Chief Medical Officer Alfred Seekamp, MD. “As a healthcare organization owned and led by physicians, we have a core responsibility to protect our patients, our families and one another.”
Vancouver Clinic joins a growing list of health care partners in Vancouver and Portland that require all employees be vaccinated. The rapid spread of new COVID-19 variants, including the Delta variant, has increased COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Its “viral load” is as much as 1,000 times higher than prior variants and, as a result, it could be at least twice as transmissible according to Vancouver Clinic officials.
Eighty percent of Vancouver Clinic’s employees are already fully vaccinated. Those not vaccinated will have until September 15 to comply with the new policy, which is a condition of employment.
“We value each of our employees and this decision was carefully considered,” Seekamp said. “We believe this is the right thing to do for the health and safety of employees, our patients and our community.”
wpDiscuz
