All personnel at D.C. hospitals soon will be required to get a coronavirus vaccination.
The District of Columbia Hospital Association (DCHA) announced Wednesday each hospital will be responsible for implementing its own deadline, WTTG-TV (Channel 5) reported. Exemptions for medical and religious reasons will be accepted in adherence to District and federal laws.
DCHA officials say 70% of hospital workers are fully vaccinated.
“The District of Columbia is blessed with a hospital workforce of over 30,000 individuals that provided and continue to provide compassionate and quality care throughout the pandemic,” said Jacqueline D. Bowens, the association’s president and CEO, WTTG reported. “This consensus is a reiteration of our hospitals’ commitment to safety by keeping our staff, patients and visitors protected against COVID-19.”
As of Thursday, roughly 52% of D.C. residents have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with 42% fully vaccinated, according to health department data.
