In recent weeks, the rate of COVID-19 infection has climbed in Tennessee, with hospitalizations doubling since the Fourth of July. New COVID-19 variants, including the Delta variant, are more contagious and may cause severe illness—especially among the unvaccinated population. As a result, VUMC will now require those in leadership roles to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption by September 15, 2021.
Vaccination against serious communicable diseases is a long-standing VUMC practice, and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for mitigating serious illness and hospitalizations due to all strains of the virus. The highest responsibility of those in leadership roles at VUMC is to protect the safety of patients, coworkers, trainees and students. It is also important for those in leadership roles to be vaccinated to demonstrate VUMC’s overall commitment to promoting vaccination, both within VUMC and in the broader community.
Read the entire statement here.