One of the first health systems to impose a COVID-19 vaccination requirement on its employees in the Northwest has shared the result. PeaceHealth reports that about 92% of its employees and contractors are vaccinated, and 3% have been granted medical or religious exemptions.
With the mandate now in effect, PeaceHealth is reporting a roughly 10% bump in its employee vaccination rate.
The health system employs about 16,000 at hospitals and clinics in Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
Back in early August, PeaceHealth said about 80% of its workforce had been vaccinated.
Employees who did not get their shots or a valid exemption were placed on unpaid leave, Sept. 1.
The policy has sparked protests across the Northwest and some staff resignations. PeaceHealth says the vaccine mandate is necessary to protect patients and the community from COVID-19.
Similar requirements go into effect at some of the region’s larger systems - including Kaiser Permanente and Legacy health - at the end of the month.
In Oregon and Washington, a statewide requirement for all private health workers to be vaccinated takes effect on Oct. 18.