Signature HealthCARE’s new flu vaccine policy will affect everyone in every facility

A new influenza vaccination policy announced Wednesday by Louisville, KY-based Signature HealthCARE will apply to all employees, residents, patients, volunteers, vendors and others in any of the organization’s assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities.

Signature HealthCARE has more than 17,000 employees, including home health employees, across 10 states, and more than 100 locations.

All employees will be required to be vaccinated for the 2019-2020 flu season, and anyone entering a facility will be required to show proof of vaccination or wear a mask in resident and patient care areas. Employees and residents will receive the vaccine at no charge.

Those who decline vaccination for religious, health or other reasons will be required to wear a mask, a Signature HealthCARE spokeswoman told McKnight’s Senior Living.

The initiative will begin Oct. 1, with the policy in effect November through April, she said.

“Though there are health issues and comorbidities among our residents that are hard to impact, we surely can do more about infection-related issues,” said Signature HealthCARE Chief Medical Officer Arif Nazir, M.D. “For example, flu outbreaks can be minimized by assuring aggressive utilization of the flu vaccine both by our residents and staff.”