increase font size
VA becomes 1st federal agency to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employees
The VA s move came on a day when nearly 60 leading medical and health care organizations issued a call for health care facilities to require their workers to get vaccinated.
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARAssociated Press
Share
Denis McDonough, secretary of Veterans Affairs, shown July 14, said Monday, “Whenever a veteran or VA employee sets foot in a VA facility, they deserve to know that we have done everything in our power to protect them from COVID-19. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Associated Press
WASHINGTON The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines, as the aggressive delta variant spreads and some communities report troubling increases in hospitalizations among unvaccinated people.
It’s the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the delta variant spreads across the country,” McDonough said in a statement. “Whenever a veteran or VA employee sets foot in a VA facility, they deserve to know that we have done everything in our power to protect them from COVID-19.
“With this mandate, we can once again make and keep that fundamental promise,” he added.
In addition to the AMA, the medical and health care groups calling for mandatory vaccines for health workers included the American Academy of Nursing, the American Public Health Association, the American Pharmacists Association and, for the first time, a nursing home industry group. LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit nursing homes and elder care facilities, had previously advocated educating nursing home employees about the benefits of getting their shots. Also joining the call was the National Medical Association, the leading professional group representing Black physicians.
VA requires COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers Photo: AP. FILE - In this March 4, 2021 file photo, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington. The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines. The decision comes as the aggressive delta variant spreads and some communities report troubling increases in hospitalizations among unvaccinated people. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Created: July 26, 2021 01:56 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday became the first major federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines, as the aggressive delta variant spreads across the nation and some communities report troubling increases in hospitalizations among unvaccinated people.
Universities hiring additional staff to manage COVID-19 vaccination records fox10phoenix.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fox10phoenix.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
VA mandates COVID-19 vaccine for medical employees, staff
By Austin Williams
New COVID-19 vaccine & testing mandate for NYC workers
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new vaccination and testing mandate for all city workers, including teachers, police, firefighters and all government workers, requiring them to either be fully vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. The mandate will become effective on Sept. 15.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Monday that VA health care personnel will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The agency said VA employees will have eight weeks to be fully vaccinated from the virus amid concern over a rise in novel coronavirus cases and the highly transmissible delta variant.