SOMC employees protest vaccine policy

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio. (WSAZ) – On Monday morning, dozens of people skirted the sidewalks of the intersection outside the main entrance of Southern Ohio Medical Center. Most were hospital employees and met with signs in hand.

“I hope I can possibly change a person’s mind, but I’ve talked to my managers and it seems like this is above our heads,” Amy Conlon said.

Conlon is referring to the SOMC policy coming into effect next month that will require employees to get the vaccine or take a weekly COVID-19 test.

“We shouldn’t undergo this every week if we’re not symptomatic and we’re not sick,” Conlon said.

The hospital posted this statement to WSAZ:

“At SOMC we fully support people’s rights to express their opinions and beliefs. Therefore, we sought staff input before determining a COVID-19 vaccine policy. This is also why our policy has always included exemptions based on medical history, as well as strongly held religious or personal beliefs.

We respect your right to make your own personal decisions, and this is reflected in our policy. SOMC has never claimed that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was a condition for employment. Rather, we only demand that those who are not vaccinated be tested to confirm that they are not COVID-positive. We understand that this is a source of frustration for some, but we will always prioritize the safety of our patients, many of whom are immunocompromised.

As health care workers, we have an obligation to do everything we can to protect the health of our patients. We believe this means taking reasonable steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While we strongly encourage vaccination against COVID-19, we have also clearly communicated the process by which those who reject can still care for patients safely. Our patients deserve to know that they are receiving care at a center that puts their safety and health first and we will continue to do our best to meet that expectation. ”

The FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine Monday morning, but many of the people protesting the hospital’s policy said it would not change its mind.

“I love my job. I love SOMC. I love my patients. I love my co-workers,” Brandy Chandler said.

“We’re good nurses,” Terri Montgomery-Martin said. “We love our patients and take very good care of them.”

The vaccine policy will take effect at SOMC on September 17th.

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