Two South Florida hospital systems are taking the next steps in combating COVID-19.
This afternoon both Memorial Healthcare System and Baptist Health South Florida announced they're mandating employees be vaccinated.
Nearly 40% of Memorial's workforce remains unvaccinated. As an incentive, those who get fully vaccinated before October 1st will get $150. An additional $100 will be offered for teams that reach the 85% vaccination rate by the deadline.
“With this mandate, we are joining leading healthcare organizations in the U.S., including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Medical Association, American Nursing Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and more than 1,500 hospitals that support mandatory vaccination,” said Memorial Healthcare System President and CEO Aurelio M. Fernandez, III, FACHE. “It’s the only way to overcome COVID-19 and resume a safe and normal way of life.”
Exemptions will be given for medical or religious reasons, but those employees will have to follow strict requirments.
Baptist Health's mandate goes into effect on October 31st.
Jackson Health System's vaccinate mandate goes into effect next Monday.