Nursing Home Staff Vaccine Mandates Continue to Grow

Several states as well as nursing home chains are now requiring that staff get vaccinated. Most recently, Massachusetts will require all nursing home staff to receive COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment by October 10, according to a public health emergency order signed by the state’s acting public health commissioner last week. The order allows for medical and religious exemptions. This follows announcements from Genesis Healthcare and Sanford Health/Good Samaritan Society that both chains will require vaccinations for all staff.

Other states are jumping on board as well. California has required all health-care workers, including nursing home staff, to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested for the virus weekly. New Jersey also instituted a new policy last Monday that requires nursing home workers to get vaccinated or face weekly tests. The state will still consider upping the policy to a vaccine mandate.

The Society recently issued a statement in support of mandatory vaccinations for health-care personnel, including those working in nursing facilities.