OSF Healthcare requiring all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19

Posted on July 21, 2021
OSF Pharmacist Ryan Wolf prepares COVID-19 vaccines. (Photo courtesy McLean County Health Department)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – OSF Healthcare requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by the end of September this year.

According to a news release, OSF said the decision is based on science and follows current vaccination policies that require employees to get a flu shot and stay current with other vaccinations like measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough.

“We did not make this decision lightly,” said Mike Cruz, M.D., chief operating officer, OSF HealthCare. “As health care providers, it is our ethical obligation to be vigilant about the safety of our patients.”

Any employee who chooses not to receive the COVID-19 may face disciplinary processes that could result in employment loss.

“OSF has been consistent in recommending vaccinations as our best shot to move forward to end this pandemic that has taken so much from so many, but we need everyone on board to make a deep and lasting impact,” said Shelley Nguyen, vice president of workforce management, OSF HealthCare.

OSF HealthCare employs nearly 24,000 people in 150 locations throughout Illinois and Michigan.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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