Cowboy State Daily
Banner Health Requiring Employees To Be Vaccinated By Nov. 1
Banner Health, one of the largest U.S. health system employers which runs several medical facilites in Wyoming, is requiring its employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or lose their jobs, the company announced on Tuesday.
This story first appeared on Cowboy State Daily
By Ellen Fike, Cowboy State Daily
Banner Health, one of the largest U.S. health system employers which runs several medical facilites in Wyoming, is requiring its employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or lose their jobs, the company announced on Tuesday.
Banner Health operates multiple health care systems in Wyoming, including the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper and clinics in Torrington, Wheatland, Guernsey, Douglas, Worland and more.
Employees must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, with limited exceptions, the company said.
“We care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and we owe it to them to take every measure possible to ensure the safest care environment,” said Peter Fine, president and CEO for Banner Health, in a company-wide email on Tuesday. “We are taking this step to reduce risk for our patients, their families, visitors and each other. Safety is an absolute top priority and the COVID vaccine mandate reflects that commitment. The vaccine data has fully supported the safety and efficacy to prevent disease and reduce its severity. There is overwhelming evidence for us to act on behalf of the communities that rely on us to care for and protect them.
The company is implementing the requirement for several reasons, including the rise of the Delta variant of coronavirus, the need to protect its patients and workforce and to prepare for flu season.
National data has shown 97% of those hospitalized with COVID and 99% of COVID-related deaths are occurring among the unvaccinated.
In July, Banner launched an incentive program for employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including a lottery that saw 10 vaccinated employees receive $10,000 each.
Banner has also provided its employees with pay for time away to get vaccinated, mileage reimbursement and points toward its wellness program that offers discounts on health insurance.
Banner Health employs roughly 52,000 people throughout the U.S., operating in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming.
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Sherry Tarver
July 21, 2021 at 10:55 am
No one should be forced.
Susan Workman
July 21, 2021 at 12:22 pm
We should have freedom of choice! Since masks are so effective…. why not give that choice? Better not complain when the shortage of medical workers gets worse.
Sherry Tarver
July 21, 2021 at 2:20 pm
I agree! I have someone close to me that was given a similar choice, so they quit thier job.
Sherry Tarver
July 21, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Although I do not agree with the masks, either. Again, choices that are every single Americans.
Susan Workman
July 21, 2021 at 8:26 pm
I don’t agree with the masks either, but better than being unemployed! Memorial gave me that choice vs the flu vaccine.
Ken Giles
July 21, 2021 at 2:27 pm
Presently none of these vaccines are FDA approved. They are experimental and not all equally effective. In the UK, Up to 40% of People Being Admitted to Hospital for COVID Have Been Fully Vaccinated. Right now the Pfizer vaccine is close to FDA approval but that’s still one or two months away. No one should lose their job for refusing vaccination until there is an FDA approved vaccine. Then and only then can it be said that the vaccine is safe.
Susan Workman
July 21, 2021 at 8:27 pm
AGREE
Mitch Smith
July 21, 2021 at 3:13 pm
IF the muzzles work, then why the need for a vaccine?
Lori Young
July 21, 2021 at 6:17 pm
I agree NO one should be forced..Why are vaxxed still getting positive results….HMMMMMM
Susan Workman
July 21, 2021 at 8:35 pm
It would be interesting to know if Banner Health is being offered a ‘bonus’ payment from the government or vaccine makers if they have 90% or more employees get the Covid Vaccine. That would be a great story for Sheridan Media to write!