AHA issues policy statement on COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers

The AHA Board of Trustees yesterday adopted a policy statement that supports hospitals and health systems that adopt mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies, “with local factors and circumstances shaping whether and how these policies are implemented.” The policy continues to strongly urge vaccination for all health care personnel to protect patients and communities, and encourages hospitals and health systems implementing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies to provide exemptions for medical reasons and accommodations consistent with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, among other considerations.

“The evidence is clear: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in reducing both the risk of becoming infected and spreading the virus to others,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “The AHA supports hospitals and health systems that choose, based on local factors, to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for their workforce. Doing so will help protect the health and well-being of health care personnel and the patients and communities they proudly serve.”