UVM Health Network
Newsroom

Statement From University of Vermont Health Network President and CEO John Brumsted, MD, on Employee Vaccination

UVM Health Network to require workforce to be vaccinated against COVID-19, beginning October 1, 2021.

UVMHN employee vaccinating community member
Published

“As an academic health system, we rely on data, research and science to keep our patients healthy and save lives. The recent rise of COVID-19 cases in our region and across the country due to the highly contagious delta variant has made one thing crystal clear: vaccination is how we control the spread and hopefully end this pandemic. As a health care provider, our consistent message through the pandemic has been to get vaccinated to protect yourself and others, and it is imperative that we do the right thing to protect our patients, our communities and our employees.

“Therefore, the UVM Health Network is actively engaged towards requiring our entire workforce of nearly 15,000 employees – including our employed physicians and also for travelers working in our facilities – to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as a condition of employment. Those who decline vaccination will be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing when this requirement goes into effect on October 1, 2021. We are not alone in this decision. Regionally, and across the country, many types of employers – including hospitals and health systems – have instituted mandatory vaccination as a next step as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

“We are committed to creating a process that is respectful of all of our employees and one that recognizes the urgent need to take action to prevent sickness and save lives. Details of our plan and process will be forthcoming in the near future. We are incredibly grateful to the vast majority of our workforce who have already been vaccinated, and to our physicians and other caregivers who have been on the frontlines of this unprecedented and ongoing pandemic.”