-
In January, Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Marble Falls offered voluntary COVID-19 vaccinations for employees, pictured here. The new policy would make it required for all employees as well as vendors, volunteers and other associates doing business with the facility. File photo
Hospitals in Marble Falls and Burnet will require coronavirus inoculations for all associates with the facilities, according to company statements.
By Oct. 1, 2021, all Baylor Scott & White Health employees, providers, volunteers, vendors, students and contract staff must receive both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, unless granted a religious or medical exemption, according to a company statement.
“With rapidly rising COVID-19 case counts due to the highly contagious Delta variant and the start of the flu season fast approaching, we believe now is the right time to take the next step in achieving a fully vaccinated workforce,” stated Baylor Scott & White spokesman Gabriel Martinez. “The Delta variant is the most contagious and dangerous strain we have seen to date, leading to exponentially increasing rates of severe illness and hospitalization.”
The statement attributed the recent cases to unvaccinated individuals.
“We are committed to making the communities we serve healthier,” Martinez stated. “Whether you are a patient, family member or employee, you can be assured that we have taken every measure to protect you.”
Ascension Seton Highland Lakes adopted the same policy with a slightly different timeline.
"Ascension will require that all associates be vaccinated against COVID-19, whether or not they provide direct patient care, and whether they work in our sites of care or remotely," a website post from Ascension stated. "This includes associates employed by subsidiaries and partners; physicians and advanced practice providers, whether employed or independent; and volunteers and vendors entering Ascension facilities.
"Our timeline for completing the vaccine series and meeting this requirement will be Nov. 12, 2021."