GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Prevea Health and Advocate Aurora Health are the latest health systems to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The requirements come as the delta variant of the coronavirus which causes COVID-19 continues to surge.
Green Bay-based Prevea has told employees that they will be required to be fully vaccinated or complete an exemption process by Oct. 5.
“Scientific data shows us the current COVID-19 vaccines are not only safe, but effective in protecting individuals from contracting COVID-19 or becoming hospitalized with the virus,” Prevea president/CEO Dr. Ashok Rai said in a news release. “Data also shows us positive cases of this virus and its highly contagious Delta variant continue to rise to very concerning levels, with an overwhelming majority of positive cases affecting unvaccinated individuals. As a trusted source of health care in Wisconsin, it is critical we take this next step to protect our patients, staff and communities.”
Aurora officials say inpatient hospitalizations have increased five-fold over the past three weeks, and the test positivity rate is the highest it’s been since January.
“We are first and foremost a safe, clinical enterprise. Our ultimate duty is to protect the health and safety of our team members, patients and communities,” Advocate Aurora president/CEO Jim Skogsbergh announced to employees Wednesday. “The data is overwhelming. This vaccine is safe, and it’s highly effective in preventing infection and even more so, serious illness and death.”
Advocate Aurora’s requirement applies to all 75,000 employees in Wisconsin and Illinois, including remote workers who don’t work directly with patients, and medical staff members, students, volunteers and on-site vendors.
Exceptions will be granted for specific medical or religious reasons.
Other health systems to announce similar requirements recently include UW Health, Froedtert Health and Ascension.
To find a vaccine provider, visit vaccines.gov.
