(Wallingford, CT)–The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) has adopted a consensus, statewide policy endorsing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for hospital and health system employees and clinical staff. The adoption of the policy reflects a commitment by Connecticut’s hospitals to implement it in their organizations.
“Hospitals are leaders in Connecticut’s response to the pandemic and we believe taking this step is in further support of public health and the safety of our patients and workforce,” observed Jennifer Jackson, CEO of the association. “The science is clear, vaccines are safe and effective, and are proving to be the best way to eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in our state.”
Connecticut hospitals have been united in an aggressive response to the pandemic, expanding capacity to care for more than 36,000 COVID-19 patients, standing up mass testing centers, educating the public about COVID-19 infection and prevention, and most recently, leading the successful effort to administer hundreds of thousands of doses of vaccine.
As it did ten years ago when Connecticut hospitals adopted policies requiring hospital employees to receive the flu vaccine, CHA convened and facilitated the discussion of the statewide policy adoption among its members and will develop best practices for implementation.
About CHA
Since 1919, the Connecticut Hospital Association has advanced the health of individuals and communities by leading, representing, and serving hospitals and related healthcare organizations that are accountable to the community and committed to health improvement. Through state and federal advocacy, CHA represents the interests of Connecticut’s hospitals on key healthcare issues in the areas of quality and patient safety, access and coverage, workforce, public health and health equity, and sustainable financing.