Springfield’s two hospitals say they will require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID by early January unless they have an approved exemption.
The State Journal-Register reports both HSHS St. John’s Hospital and Springfield Memorial Hospital say they will comply with a new federal mandate requiring the vaccine for health care workers, unless they have an approved exemption on religious or health grounds. The policy would not provide for an option of testing in lieu of vaccination.
The hospitals say most of their workers are already vaccinated, but those who are not fully vaccinated by January 4th will be placed on unpaid leave and will eventually face termination. A number of Illinois hospitals have adopted similar policies, but the federal rules are also the subject of pending legal challenges.
