St. Luke’s leadership says it is furthering its commitment to protect its patients, staff and the community by adding the COVID-19 vaccine to its list of required immunizations.
In a message to staff on July 8, Chris Roth, president and CEO of St. Luke’s Health System, said that given Idaho’s low rate of COVID-19 vaccination, the emergence and rapid spread of the Delta variant, the loosening of public health restrictions on masking and gatherings, as well as plans to return to full capacity for indoor venues, schools, and public gatherings in the fall, St. Luke’s leadership believes this is the right time to take the step of requiring the COVID-19 vaccine of all team members.
For those instances when someone may not be able to get vaccinated due to a medical condition or strongly held religious belief, St. Luke’s has an established process for requesting exemptions that follows the current guidance used for other required immunizations.
“The decision to receive the vaccine can be difficult for some and I believe it is important that team members who have not yet received the vaccine are able to ask questions and gather all the information they need,” Roth said. “We will be providing information and resources via multiple avenues for our employees and providers to assist them.”
St. Luke’s will require all employees, providers, contractors, students and volunteers to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 1.