Erin Wilson contributed the video portion of this story.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — All team members and providers at UofL Health — including residents, fellows and rotating students — will be required to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine beginning Sept. 1, 2021. This includes all doses of a vaccine plus the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended waiting time from the final dose.
What You Need To Know
- UofL Health will require COVID-19 vaccines beginning Sept. 1, 2021
- Any new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated before they can begin working with UofL Health
- Team members can apply for a medical or religious exemption
- After Sept. 1, team members and providers who aren't vaccinated and haven't received an exemption may be subject to disciplinary action
“We are proud to share that approximately 70% or more of our team members and providers, have already received the vaccine,” CEO of UofL Health Tom Miller. “However, as a health care organization, we need to do even more.”
Also beginning September 1, all long-term contracted staff, such as food and nutrition services, environmental services and security are also requested to be fully vaccinated, the release added. Any new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated before they can begin working with UofL Health.
Team members and providers who cannot get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons can apply for an exemption with the same process used for the flu vaccine. UofL Health said it will comply with all applicable laws related to vaccine exemptions.
"The COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized by the FDA are extremely safe and effective," said Dr. Jason Smith, chief medical officer for UofL Health. "There are very, very few medical reasons a person would not be able to receive this vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is available throughout the U.S., and now those 12-years-old and above are eligible. We recommend our team members and providers schedule and get the vaccine as soon as you can — not only for yourself, your colleagues, and patients, but for those you love as well."
After September 1, team members and providers who aren't vaccinated and haven't received an exemption may be subject to disciplinary action, UofL Health said. The September date was chosen because full FDA approval of at least one COVID-19 vaccine is expected by that point; however, if it hasn't been granted by then, implementation of the requirement will be delayed.