Stormont Vail requires employees to be vaccinated

TOPEKA, Canada (WIBW) – Stormont Vail Health staff will now have to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Stormont Vail Health informed employees of the policy change on Thursday afternoon, September 2nd. Employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza by October 31, 2021.

“We believe this is an important step now and in this time and place to protect the health of employees, protect the health of our patients, protect the health of our community,” Dr. Robert Kenagy, CEO of Stormont Vail,.

Kenagy said the policy includes exceptions for religious and medical reasons. He claims to meet the flu vaccine requirement for employees, which has been in place for several years.

As of Aug. 31, Stormont Vail’s COVID-19 board shows 4,038 employees, volunteers, and unoccupied medical personnel have been vaccinated. Hospital officials estimate the number represents more than 85% of its employees.

Kenagy said hospital leaders have spent the past few weeks approaching those who have not been vaccinated to address their concerns, as administrators were contemplating making it a requirement. Kenagy admits it is frustrating to continue to be hesitant about the vaccine.

“It is very frustrating to know that we are currently talking about a consolidated science that protects millions of people across the country, billions of people around the world and we cannot reach a place of consensus as a community, as culture to endorse vaccination, ”he said.

The new policy comes when Stormont, like hospitals across the country, has problems with staffing. Kenagy said Stormont has more than 100 RN positions open. When asked if he believed some employees could drop the COVID vaccination requirement, Kenagy said he anticipated some might leave, but considered the requirement could also attract workers looking for a safer environment.

On Wednesday, the St. Francis of the University of Kansas Health said it would not require its employees to be vaccinated against the virus. The University of Kansas health system announced that morning that it would require vaccination of employees at its Kansas City facilities.

The CEO of St. Francis, Steve Anderson, said they continue to educate employees and encourage them to get vaccinated. San Francisco said 70% of its employees are vaccinated.

For more information on COVID-19 and Stormont Vail, click HERE.

Copyright 2021 WIBW. All rights reserved.