FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2021
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ginger Dreyer, Director of Communications
Kentucky Hospital Association
502-426-6220
gdreyer@kyha.com
Emily Schott, Director of Communications
Kentucky Medical Association
502-341-1926
schott@kyma.com
Stephanie Smith, Director of Communications & Membership
Kentucky Nurses Association
502-744-5488
stephanie@kentucky-nurses.org
Kentucky Hospital, Medical and Nursing Associations Support COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
LOUISVILLE, KY – (August 5, 2021) Kentucky hospitals, physicians and nurses are putting patients first by joining together to call for employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA), the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) and the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) support hospitals and health systems amending their existing vaccine policies to require COVID-19 vaccines for their health care employees. The associations recognize that each hospital and health system is unique and encourage each hospital and health system to determine the appropriate timeline to implement a requirement.
Restoring, preserving and protecting the health of patients is the highest priority for Kentucky’s hospitals and physicians. Vaccination against COVID-19 is the best tool to prevent spread of the disease, protect patients and ensure the health and well-being of the hospital workforce and all Kentuckians.
The evidence clearly shows that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing individuals from dying from the virus, becoming seriously ill, requiring hospitalization and spreading it to others. Hospitalizations from COVID-19 in Kentucky dropped dramatically once the COVID-19 vaccine became available. However, large segments of the population remain unvaccinated and continue to be at high risk of acquiring and transmitting COVID-19. At the same time, the emergence of COVID-19 variants is accelerating spread of infection and causing cases and hospitalizations to rise among the unvaccinated population. According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, from April through June of 2021, 97% of positive tests, 93% of hospitalizations and 92% of deaths were in unvaccinated persons.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many groups representing health care organizations and medical professionals have called for COVID-19 vaccine requirements for health care workers. Hospitals already require their employees to be vaccinated against other highly communicable diseases to protect patients. Nationally, more than 96% of physicians are vaccinated against COVID-19. For health care workers, the vaccine is important to protect against the virus and the inadvertent spread of COVID-19 to other staff, patients and visitors. This is particularly important to assure that the vulnerable patients hospitals serve, particularly those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, infants and children, are protected.
The Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Medical Association continue to be vocal supporters of the COVID-19 vaccine, having joined together for the “Take It From Me” public health campaign, and the Kentucky Nurses Association is proud to promote its “I Got the Shot” campaign. Both efforts encourage Kentuckians to receive the vaccine as soon as they are eligible. Vaccination of employees against COVID-19 will help assure that hospitals are able to continue to respond to the pandemic.
Guidance for Hospitals That Require Vaccination
KHA, KMA and KNA encourage hospitals that require vaccinations to:
- Develop a process for determining appropriate medical and religious exemptions, consistent with applicable laws;
- Continue to educate hesitant staff and others in your community about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines;
- Follow relevant CDC and other federal and state guidance regarding infection control practices for unvaccinated staff;
- Announce such a requirement in advance and offer scheduling flexibility to ensure personnel have paid time to obtain the vaccine and recover from potential side effects; and
- Work through their human resources and legal departments when determining and implementing the consequences of noncompliance with the hospital’s vaccine policy.
About the Kentucky Hospital Association: Established in 1929, the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) represents hospitals, related health care organizations and integrated health care systems dedicated to sustaining and improving the health status of the citizens of Kentucky. The Association is headquartered in Louisville.
About the Kentucky Medical Association: Established in 1851, the Kentucky Medical Association is a professional organization for physicians throughout the Commonwealth. The KMA works on behalf of physicians and the patients they serve to ensure the delivery of quality, affordable healthcare. Members of the KMA share a mission of commitment to the profession and service to the citizens of this Commonwealth that extends across rural and urban areas. From solo practitioners to academicians to large, multi-specialty groups, KMA is the ONLY state association representing every specialty and type of medical practice in Kentucky.
About the Kentucky Nurses Association: Established in 1906, the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) is the only full-service professional organization for the state’s entire nurse population. In addition to promoting the essential role of registered nurses in the healthcare delivery system, the KNA serves as an advocate for quality patient care in all settings. From the halls of Frankfort and state agencies to boardrooms, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, the KNA is the strong voice for the nursing profession throughout the Commonwealth.
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