Several health care systems with operations in the region have mandated all employees get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The announcements, which began last week, are in response to rising cases tied to the Delta variant, which spreads more quickly. Advocate Aurora Health, which has locations across the New North, announced Wednesday its employees would be required to get vaccinated by Oct. 15.
“We are first and foremost a safe, clinical enterprise. Our ultimate duty is to protect the health and safety of our team members, patients and communities,” President and CEO Jim Skogsbergh told employees in a video. “The data is overwhelming. This vaccine is safe, and it’s highly effective in preventing infection and even more so, serious illness and death.”
Prevea Health also notified employees Wednesday they will be required to be vaccinated or complete an exemption process by Oct. 5.
“Data shows us positive cases of this virus and its highly contagious Delta variant continue to rise to very concerning levels, with an overwhelming majority of positive cases affecting unvaccinated individuals,” said Prevea President and CEO Dr. Ashok Rai. “As a trusted source of health care in Wisconsin, it is critical we take this next step to protect our patients, staff and communities.”
Like other health care systems mandating vaccinations, Prevea and Advocate Aurora said exemptions would be made for religious or medical reasons.
Advocate Aurora and Prevea join other providers in the region that are mandating employees get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Ascension Wisconsin, which operates hospitals in Appleton, Oshkosh and Chilton and dozens of clinics, announced its mandate last week, saying all employees would need to show proof of vaccination “for the safety of patients and visitors, our associates, our families and loved ones, and the community.”
- Children’s Wisconsin, which has a hospital and a clinic in Neenah, and the Medical College of Wisconsin, which has a location on the St. Norbert College campus in De Pere, also are mandating employees get vaccinated due to the increased risk posed by the Delta variant.
- In the last week of June, SSM Health, which owns St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, became the first health care system in the state to mandate vaccinations for its employees. The vaccinations need to be complete by the end of September.
Not all health care systems are mandating their employees get vaccinated — at least not yet.
A spokeswoman for Bellin Health in Green Bay said, “We are focusing a lot of energy on helping our team members understand the importance of the vaccine and encouraging them to make the important choice to get the vaccine. At the same time, we are evaluating a mandate in light of the increasing spread of the virus and the important role we play as health care providers in stopping the spread and caring for our communities.”
ThedaCare, which is the largest employer in the region, is encouraging employees and community members to get the vaccine since it’s the best line of defense against the virus, said Mark Cockley, ThedaCare’s chief clinical officer.
“We have shared near-daily updates on the latest findings and addressed misinformation to help each person make the decision to get vaccinated, knowing vaccines are our best defense against the virus. Given the recent increase in numbers, we are busy reviewing our plan regarding vaccine requirements. Our team members will be the first to know any decision,” he said.
HSHS hospitals in Wisconsin also have not required their employees get vaccinated but have not ruled it completely out.
