THE VALUED VOICE

SSM Health Announces Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Staff

WHA supports Wisconsin hospitals and health systems making the best vaccination decisions for their individual situations

SSM Health this week announced to its staff and made public through a media release its decision to require COVID-19 vaccination for its nearly 40,000 employees, providers and volunteers across its four-state service area by the end of September. Team members can request an exemption for medical or religious reason.

SSM Health’s announcement follows similar decisions by health systems across the nation, though philosophies and approaches related to encouraging and/or requiring vaccination remain highly variable, even here in Wisconsin. WHA’s position, as reflected in the following statement being shared with media who reach out to the Association on this topic is that these decisions are best made by the hospital and health systems based on their unique circumstances.

WHA Statement on Hospital Vaccination Policies

Hospitals continuously monitor and evaluate COVID disease and vaccination trends and adjust strategies to ensure they have an available and healthy workforce to safely serve their patients and communities now and in the future. As both employers and health care providers, hospitals and health systems hold the health and safety of their patients, staff and those entering their facilities as their primary responsibility. Hospital and health systems are in the best position to determine how to achieve their vaccination goals among hospital staff based upon their unique situations. WHA supports them in making decisions they determine to be most appropriate.

WHA will continue conversations with its members and provide resources and share perspectives to help them navigate this complex topic.