September 1, 2021
At least nine Minnesota health systems require employees to get vaccinated—some as early as this month
The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) Board of Trustees recently approved a proposal urging all Minnesota healthcare organizations—large and small—to adopt COVID-19 vaccine requirements for staff and employees with limited exemptions for medical contraindications or religious beliefs. Already, at least nine Minnesota health systems—Allina Health, Children’s Minnesota, CentraCare, Essentia Health, HealthPartners, Hennepin Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, M Health Fairview and Sanford Health—have mandated the COVID-19 vaccine, with some requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated as early as this month.
“The MMA Board of Trustees was deliberate in our consideration of this issue and sought direct input from MMA physician members on a draft policy,” says MMA President Marilyn Peitso, MD. “Of members who reviewed the policy proposal, 89 percent voted in favor of the Board adopting the proposal.”
In late July, the American Medical Association (AMA), along with 56 other groups representing physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers, released a joint statement calling for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all U.S. healthcare workers.
“Physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers have demonstrated consistent leadership, courage and resilience throughout this pandemic,” Peitso says. “Their continued leadership in accepting vaccinations will protect immunocompromised individuals, other healthcare employees, and children who are not yet eligible for vaccination. We believe vaccine requirements for healthcare professionals are the right thing to do to protect all Minnesota communities.”
The MMA position also recognizes the health equity impact as COVID-19 has highlighted the health inequities that currently exist with vulnerable populations being more affected than others. As noted by one MMA member, “health care providers have a special responsibility to do everything to redress the inequity[ies], including our personal actions like getting vaccinated.”
About the Minnesota Medical Association
The Minnesota Medical Association is a non-profit professional association representing physicians, residents and medical students. With more than 11,000 members, the MMA is dedicated to being the leading voice of medicine to make Minnesota the healthiest state and the best place to practice.
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