California set to implement COVID-19 vaccine requirement for healthcare workers

Frustration is mounting among some California members of the healthcare community in response to the state's new COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The California Department of Public Health will require all healthcare facilities to enforce vaccinations for employees by September 30.

The new mandate will replace a previous order put in place by Governor Gavin Newsom, that required healthcare employees to be tested for COVID-19 twice weekly, if they did not want to get the vaccine. 

This latest move essentially takes away that option for those who are hesitant to get fully vaccinated against the virus. 

The state Public Health Officer made the announcement late Thursday, and cited the state's surge in cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant as the reasoning behind the decision.

The statement also highlights the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly in preventing hospitalizations and deaths among patients that get infected.

However, there are lingering concerns the state is failing to provide hospitals and other healthcare facilities with sufficient guidance to implement the new requirements. 

Chief Medical Officer at Eisenhower Health, Doctor Alan Williamson, questioned how the hospital is “going to make sure that all” employees and physicians on staff are fully vaccinated by the state-imposed deadline. 

Exceptions will be made based on medical or religious reasons, but Eisenhower Health and its corresponding clinics are still evaluating all of the mandate's details.

The mandate is raising more questions, rather than providing clear instruction, to the thousands of California doctors and health care providers at the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

Doctor Williamson noted the state mandate does not “go into detail about what kind of administrative penalties there might be” for those who do not comply. 

However, he said “like any other state regulation, they're going to expect compliance. And if you're out of compliance, they will take some kind of action."

While it remains to be seen what penalties non-compliant healthcare workers could face, Doctor Williamson fears refusal to get the vaccine could potentially lead to termination.

The doctor said that while nobody wants that outcome, it's important for those on the frontlines to be fully vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus. 

He added that 90% of employees at Eisenhower Health are vaccinated, putting the hospital on track to reach the vaccine goal set by state health officials in the Golden State before next month’s deadline. 

If you are unvaccinated and would like to get your COVID-19 vaccine, Eisenhower Health is just one of many locations in the Coachella Valley that are offering free vaccines. 

Anyone interested and eligible can visit the hospital’s website to make an appointment. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest on the coronavirus pandemic.