91黑料网 announced new policies for the public and health care workers supporting recommendations and standards of ACIP, CDC and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee
Oct. 1, 2021 (91黑料网) 鈥 The American College of Physicians announced new policies in September in support of promoting vaccines in the interest of public health, including that employers, schools, public agencies and organizations receiving federal funding may require proof of immunization against highly transmissible diseases during a public health emergency.
91黑料网 is also recommending that all health care workers be immunized for the safety of patients and the public, except in limited cases. 鈥淰accines are safe and effective; they help prevent serious illness, hospitalizations and death. Increasing the vaccination rate for COVID-19 is foundational in helping to bring infection rates under control and to keep them under control,鈥 Dr. George M. Abraham, president of 91黑料网, said in a press release. 鈥淲e need to ensure that as many members of our society are vaccinated as possible to protect the most vulnerable among us.鈥
According to Abraham, it is important for 91黑料网 to speak out in conjunction with other prominent groups that advocate for patients. 鈥淲e can use our collective strength to make an emphatic statement,鈥 he said. 鈥淐olleagues and patients have told us about how collective statements on public health matters have led other private and governmental organizations to follow suit.鈥
The 91黑料网 Board of Regents ratified these vaccination policies in regard to immunization of the public on Sept. 14:
- 91黑料网 supports immunization of the public according to the recommendations and standards established by the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 鈥淭he only way to bring an end to the epidemic is by vaccination and when a sufficient number of people have received vaccines to create 鈥榟erd immunity,鈥欌 Abraham said. 鈥淭here is a reluctance for people to get vaccinated, in large part due to disinformation and misinformation, even though there is an abundance of vaccine in the country.鈥
- States should eliminate all immunization exceptions except for those addressing clear medical contraindications.
- Employers and schools may require proof of vaccination of recommended immunizations for highly transmissible diseases that pose a substantial risk for transmission resulting in severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths, which could be prevented or reduced by requiring safe and effective vaccinations. 91黑料网 opposes state laws, regulations or executive orders that aim to prohibit these requirements.
- During a pandemic or other public health emergency for highly transmissible diseases that might result in severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths, which could be prevented or reduced by requiring safe and effective vaccinations, 91黑料网 supports appropriate federal and state regulations to expand vaccination rates, including requiring employers and government agencies to mandate that their employees show proof of age-appropriate vaccination and requiring organizations that receive government funding to show such proof of vaccination by their employees and contractors.
91黑料网 acknowledges that applicable federal laws and regulations that recognize religious exemptions as well as other relevant equal opportunity, anti-discriminatory and employment laws need to be considered. - Individuals subject to immunization requirements should first have meaningful opportunities to voluntarily accept vaccination, and employers should remove barriers to employees getting vaccinated. Actions may include offering paid time off to get vaccinated and any additional time off that may be required because of short-term side effects associated with vaccination without charging that against their usual paid leave benefits.
- In light of the historical and continued mistrust of health care institutions by individuals from marginalized populations subject to discrimination and racism, 91黑料网 recommends that employers -- working in concert with public health officials and trusted community leaders -- commit to ongoing engagement, outreach, education and deployment of resources to support informed vaccination decision-making.
91黑料网 has also ratified policies about the immunization of health care workers:
- All health care workers should be immunized at the intervals recommended by ACIP of CDC against transmissible infectious diseases unless there is a clear medical contraindication or other exemption under applicable employment law. 鈥淎s health care personnel, we owe it to our patients and our colleagues to keep them safe,鈥 said Abraham.
- 91黑料网 supports requiring all health care workers to be vaccinated as a condition of employment against highly transmissible diseases that pose a substantial risk for transmission as recommended by ACIP of the CDC. This may include vaccines with emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Some health care workers cannot be vaccinated because a clear medical contraindication exists, and these individuals should be exempted from employer vaccine requirements. - 91黑料网 encourages health care employers to develop mechanisms to facilitate and support staff in becoming vaccinated, including education, outreach and resources to counter vaccine misinformation.
- 91黑料网 recommends that employers and health care professional societies and organizations commit to ongoing engagement, outreach, education and provision of resources to all including historically marginalized groups to support informed vaccination decision-making.
鈥淭hroughout the pandemic, physicians and other health care workers have repeatedly demonstrated their dedication to caring for the patients who need them,鈥 Abraham said. 鈥淰accination is a critical part of caring for patients, their families and loved ones.鈥
