Concern over the COVID-19 delta variant and recent outbreaks in long term care facilities has Rhode joining a growing list of states including Connecticut, California, New Jersey, and Washington mandating COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all long term care workers. Other states including Maryland and Illinois have announced vaccine mandates for state employees working in state-operated congregate living facilities and have encouraged private employers to do the same. In addition to states, major cities including Denver, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. have announced vaccine mandates for all nursing facility workers.
Last week, Governor Baker announced the first-in-the-nation COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Massachusetts skilled nursing facility workers which would further protect vulnerable residents and facility staff. Massachusetts nursing facility personnel includes all individuals employed directly by the long term care provider and all contractors. All unvaccinated personnel are required to receive a first dose of a two-dose series by September 1, 2021, and to be fully vaccinated by October 10, 2021.
Massachusetts Medical Society and the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association have also joined Massachusetts Senior Care Association in calling for a statewide mandate of all health care workers.
A Mass Senior Care survey indicated that more than 60 Massachusetts nursing facilities had already implemented employee vaccination mandates including: Berkshire Healthcare Systems, CareOne, Genesis HealthCare, Hebrew SeniorLife, Legacy Lifecare, SALMON Health and Retirement, Sherrill House, Spaulding/Partners, Trinity Health Senior Communities, and others.
For assistance in your vaccine efforts, please visit Mass Senior Care Association’s Arming Ourselves Against COVID-19 campaign.