By Rachel Sawicki

Recent vaccine mandates from a number of Delaware health systems are receiving backlash from some employees and community members. The Delaware Healthcare Association, however, is standing by the American Hospital Association, which is strongly urging all health care personnel to get their COVID-19 vaccination.

“Widespread vaccination is an essential component to successfully controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said Wayne Smith, president and CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association, in the release.

In a separate statement to the Delaware State News, DHA said it supports “hospitals in their individual strategies to achieve high levels of COVID-19 vaccination within their organizations, which may vary based on local conditions and each hospital’s unique needs,” whether or not those strategies include vaccine mandates.

ChristianaCare announced a vaccine mandate for all employees on July 29, which prompted a large protest outside the hospital on Saturday. Any employee without the first dose of a two-dose or a single-dose vaccine by Sept. 21 will be terminated.

A spokesperson for ChristianaCare said they have been communicating continuously with caregivers to help them understand the policy and processes, answer their questions and provide clear, factual information about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines through employee town halls, videos, FAQs and a wide variety of other internal communications. They are also holding regular vaccination clinics “that make the process easy and convenient.”

Nemours Children’s Health System announced mandatory vaccinations for all associates, including remote workers, volunteers, contractors and students, last Friday. The first dose of a two-dose or a single-dose vaccine must be administered by Sept. 1.

“Especially given all children under 12 years of age are still ineligible for vaccination, the best way to protect our patient families, and to save lives in the communities we serve, is through vaccination of those who are eligible,” Nemours said in a statement Friday.

Only some health care systems in the state are implementing mandates.

TidalHealth said it has been discussing vaccinations as a condition of employment, but is not requiring them at this time.
“While we still strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated, we are looking at several different factors, including full FDA approval for the vaccine beyond the current emergency use authorization,” TidalHealth said in an email. “We understand that full FDA approval will be an important milestone that will further demonstrate the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.”

Beebe Healthcare has not implemented a vaccine mandate and said it will “continue to monitor the approval status for the vaccine as a consideration in our decision-making.”

Bayhealth also said it is not requiring vaccines, but highly recommends it to all employees.

Vaccinations are widely available at many locations across Delaware. Those locations and more facts about COVID-19 vaccines can be found at coronavirus.delaware.gov.