July 22, 2021

Sanford Health is requiring all employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Its nearly 50,000 employees, which includes all Good Samaritan Society locations, must be vaccinated by Nov. 1.

“This is the right thing to do for our patients and residents, people and communities,” Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, said in a statement. “As more contagious COVID-19 variants continue to spread and threaten our communities, we must do everything we can to protect each other and our loved ones.”

Across Sanford Health, health care providers have been leading by example by choosing to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. More than 90 percent of clinicians and 70 percent of nurses are fully vaccinated.

“Since the emergence of COVID-19, Sanford Health has led the way through every stage of the pandemic, and we should be proud of how we’ve come together to safely care for our communities and each other,” said Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, chief physician. “Nearly all new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are among unvaccinated people, and the overwhelming data confirms that the vaccines are not only safe but the best and most reliable way to prevent transmission of the virus.”

Sanford Health employees are already required to have several other vaccines, including the annual flu shot. Under the new policy, any COVID-19 vaccine received in the past 12 months will qualify for the requirement. Unvaccinated employees can get their COVID-19 vaccination anytime but must report it by Nov. 1. All unvaccinated employees are encouraged to get their shots as soon as possible. As with other vaccines, Sanford Health will allow certain exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

Wednesday, the American Hospital Association announced its support of hospitals and health systems that implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for health care personnel.

According to the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, nursing homes in the U.S. showed a 96 percent decline in COVID cases in less than three months of initial doses being administered to nursing home residents and staff starting Dec. 20, 2020. COVID-related deaths in nursing homes declined 91 percent in the same time frame.