UAB announced today that employees working in its hospital and clinic environments must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
“Patients in our hospital and clinical settings are vulnerable, very sick and at higher risk for complications,” said vice president of clinical support services Sarah Nafziger. “Unvaccinated health care workers put these patients at greater risk, given that their jobs require close interaction with them and others who are immunocompromised. UAB Medicine’s Medical Executive Committee has determined the appropriate standard of care requires vaccination – it is the best way to provide a safe environment to care for its patients, as they are uniquely susceptible to Covid-19.”
The University had previously been only strongly encouraging healthcare staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees should have their full schedule of doses by November 12.
At an employee townhall earlier today, UAB President Ray Watts announced that between 68-70% of faculty and staff had shown proof of vaccination. He did not make a distinction between University and Hospital faculty.
UAB is not the first hospital in the state to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees. Ascension Health, which operates St. Vincent’s Hospitals, and Providence Health of Mobile both implemented a Nov. 12 deadline for their employees to receive the full schedule of doses earlier this month.
The change in policy comes as the Delta Variant spreads rapidly throughout the state. According to the CDC, the state has seen a seven-day moving average of 2,803 cases per day, a sharp spike that nears its January 2021 highs. From Aug. 6 to Aug. 12, 101 new positive cases were reported among clinical employees, representing a sharp increase over the summer. From June 18 to June 24, only 3 new positive cases were reported among clinical employees.
