Memo exhibits 52 % of Cincinnati Kids’s Hospital employees are vaccinated

As health officials in the Greater Cincinnati area urge the public to get vaccinated, hospital groups struggle to get health care workers to get the COVID-19 vaccination. WLWT received an internal memo on Wednesday that the chief of staff at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital sent to medical staff. “You all probably know that national, state, and regional cases are pending,” the email begins. It also states that the hospital’s “estimated institutional vaccination rates” are 52% vaccinated, 48% unvaccinated across all staff, and 71% vaccinated, 29% unvaccinated for doctors. “The increased disease transmission combined with our estimated institutional vaccination rates led us to decide to“ rewind ”some of our recent moves with immediate effect. People and eating together is not allowed, even outdoors. “This is not the direction neither of us wanted to take, but here we are and we protect everyone,” the email read. A spokesman for the Children’s Hospital released the following statement to WLWT: Cincinnati Children’s has encouraged, but not required, employees to report vaccination status, and because of this, any percentage of workers vaccinated is currently just an estimate of all of our patients, families, and employees at all times top priority. Cincinnati Children’s helped evaluate COVID-19 vaccines through clinical studies in adults and children that have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines. As a result, Cincinnati Children’s has been a strong advocate of vaccinating eligible children and adults to protect against COVID-19. We have a unique responsibility to children 11 years of age or younger who are not eligible for COVID vaccination. Because not everyone can be vaccinated, we at Cincinnati Children’s follow a number of practices to keep everyone safe. These practices include masking, distancing, frequent hand washing, and avoiding work when sick. Vaccines are an important part of this comprehensive approach to infection prevention. ”WLWT reached out to several hospital groups to ask staff about their vaccination rates. UC Health did not disclose the percentage of staff vaccinated, but said that “most” of its employees were vaccinated. Christ Hospital would not disclose the percentage of staff vaccinated, but said “most” of its staff are vaccinated. A spokesman added that hospital management “is very encouraged that team members participate in the vaccination.” Mercy Health Would Not Publish Percentage of Employees Vaccinated The hospital group released the following statement: Mercy Health strongly encourages employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We are constantly reviewing local, state, and national guidelines. We continue to provide our employees with solid information and resources to aid in their decision-making process. Our COVID-19 vaccine clinics are well underway and we see strong interest in getting the vaccine from our frontline colleagues. Every employee who works for Bon Secours is critical to supporting patient care and healthcare, now and always. The health and safety of our employees are our top priority. TriHealth and St. Elizabeth have not yet responded to requests for vaccination rates.

CINCINNATI –

As health officials in the Greater Cincinnati area urge the public to get vaccinated, hospital groups struggle to get health care workers on board for the COVID-19 vaccination.

WLWT received an internal memo sent to medical staff by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s chief of staff on Wednesday.

“You all probably know that national, state, and regional cases are pending,” the email begins. It also states that the hospital’s “estimated institutional vaccination rates” are 52% vaccinated, 48% unvaccinated across all staff, and 71% vaccinated, 29% unvaccinated for doctors.

“The increased disease transmission combined with our estimated institutional immunization rates has led us to make the decision to” reverse “some of our recent moves with immediate effect.

The memo also states that a mask is required at all meetings with more than two people and that eating together outside is not allowed.

“This is not the direction neither of us wanted to take, but here we are and we protect everyone,” the email read.

A spokesman for the children’s hospital made the following statement to WLWT:

“Cincinnati Children’s encourages all medical providers, employees, and community members to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cincinnati Children’s has encouraged, but not required, employees to report vaccination status, and as a result, each percentage of workers vaccinated is currently only an estimate.

The safety of all of our patients, families and employees is always our top priority.

Cincinnati Children’s helped evaluate COVID-19 vaccines through clinical studies in adults and children that have shown the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines. As a result, Cincinnati Children’s is a strong advocate of vaccinating eligible children and adults to protect themselves from COVID-19.

We have a unique responsibility towards children 11 years of age or younger who are currently not eligible for COVID vaccination.

Because not everyone can be vaccinated, we at Cincinnati Children’s follow a number of practices to keep everyone safe. These practices include masking, distancing, frequent hand washing, and avoiding work when sick. Vaccines are an important part of this comprehensive approach to infection prevention. “

WLWT reached out to several hospital groups to ask staff about their vaccination rates.

UC Health did not disclose the percentage of its staff vaccinated, but said that “most” of its employees are vaccinated.

Christ Hospital did not disclose the percentage of staff vaccinated, but said that “most” of its staff are vaccinated. A spokesperson added that hospital management “is very much encouraged by team members to participate in the vaccination.”

Mercy Health would not disclose the percentage of employees vaccinated. The hospital group released the following statement:

Mercy Health strongly encourages its employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We are constantly reviewing local, state, and national guidelines. We continue to provide our employees with solid information and resources to aid in their decision-making process. Our COVID-19 vaccine clinics are well underway and we see a strong interest in getting the vaccine from our frontline workers. Every employee who works for Bon Secours is critical to supporting patient care and healthcare, now and always. The health and safety of our employees are our top priority.

TriHealth and St. Elizabeth have not yet responded to requests for vaccination rates.