The University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) will require all employees and clinical staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by no later than Sept. 1, 2021. The decision, announced May 19, 2021, places UPHS among the first health systems and as the nation’s largest to date to mandate the vaccination for all its employees. UPHS is part of Penn Medicine, which also includes the Perelman School of Medicine.
“As an institution grounded in the science and art of healthcare, we believe it is imperative for Penn Medicine to take the lead in requiring employee vaccinations to protect our patients and staff and to set an example to the broader community as we work together to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” says UPHS CEO Kevin B. Mahoney.
At this time, all employees and clinical staff have been offered the vaccine, and nearly 70%—more than 33,000 people—are now fully vaccinated. The approximately 11,000 employees who have not yet been vaccinated must receive two doses of a two-dose vaccine or a single-dose vaccine two weeks prior to Sept. 1. Effective July 1, all new hires must provide evidence of vaccination or complete vaccination two weeks prior to beginning work.
This story is by Holly Auer. Read more at Penn Medicine News.
