Sanford Health to Require Employees to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

SIOUX FALLS (KDLM) – Sanford Health will require all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination by Nov. 1 including employees in the Lakes Area.

“This is the right thing to do for our patients and residents, people and communities,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “As more contagious COVID-19 variants continue to spread and threaten our communities, we must do everything we can to protect each other and our loved ones.”

More than 90% of Sanford’s clinicians and 70% of Sanford’s nurses are fully vaccinated. Under the new policy, any COVID-19 vaccine received in the past 12 months will qualify for the 2021 requirement. Unvaccinated employees can get their COVID-19 vaccination at any time but must report it by Nov. 1. All unvaccinated employees are encouraged to get their shots as soon as possible. As with other vaccines, Sanford Health will allow certain exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

Wednesday, the American Hospital Association (AHA) announced its support of hospitals and health systems that implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for health care personnel.

According to the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), United States nursing homes showed a 96% decline in COVID cases in less than three months of initial doses being administered to nursing home residents and staff starting on Dec. 20. COVID-related deaths in nursing homes declined 91% in the same timeframe.