As an academic health system committed to improving the health of our communities, it is imperative for UofL Health to take the lead in requiring vaccinations for our team members and providers to protect our patients, their families, our community, and our colleagues. 

“We are proud to share that approximately 70% or more of our team members and providers, have already received the vaccine,” saidTom Miller, CEO of UofL Health. “However, as a health care organization, we need to do even more.”

Beginning Sept. 1, 2021:

  • All team members, and providers, including residents, fellows and rotating students, will be required to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes all doses of a vaccine plus the CDC recommended waiting time from the final dose.
  • All long-term contracted staff, such as food and nutrition services, environmental services and security are also requested to be fully vaccinated.
  • Any new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated before they can begin employment with UofL Health.
  • Team members and providers who cannot get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons will be allowed to apply for an exemption using the same process they currently use for the Flu vaccine. UofL Health will comply with all applicable laws related to vaccine exemptions.

“The COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized by the FDA are extremely safe and effective,” said Dr. Jason Smith, chief medical officer for UofL Health.  “There are very, very few medical reasons a person would not be able to receive this vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is available throughout the U.S., and now those 12-years-old and above are eligible. We recommend our team members and providers schedule and get the vaccine as soon as you can – not only for yourself, your colleagues, and patients, but for those you love as well.”

After Sept. 1, 2021, team members and providers who are not vaccinated, and have not received an exemption, may be subject to disciplinary action. This date was chosen because full FDA approval of at least one of the COVID-19 vaccines is expected by that point. If full approval is not granted by then, implementation of this requirement will be delayed.

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UofL Health

UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with eight hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital. With more than 13,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care.

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