Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Number Of HHS, VA Workers Who Must Get Covid Shot Grows
The federal government is dramatically expanding the number of its workers that will be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. More than 25,000 employees of the Health and Human Services Department will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine and the Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its vaccine requirement to more employees, contractors and volunteers, the agencies announced. VA Secretary Denis McDonough told CBS This Morning that the updated mandate at his agency will affect 245,000 employees, in addition to 115,000 previously ordered to be vaccinated. (Shivaram, 8/12)
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which consists of more than 6,000 health workers who respond to public health crises around the country, will also be included under the mandate. 鈥淥ur number one goal is the health and safety of the American public, including our federal workforce, and the vaccines are the best tool we have to protect people from Covid-19, prevent the spread of the Delta variant and save lives,鈥 HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough is expanding his previous COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The expanded order, which will be announced Friday, will give 鈥渕ost鈥 Veterans Health Administration employees, volunteers, and contractors eight weeks to provide proof of vaccination or face termination. 鈥淲e鈥檙e now including most VHA employees and volunteers and contractors in the vaccine mandate because it remains the best way to keep Veterans safe, especially as the Delta variant spreads across the country,鈥 McDonough said in a release. (Webb, 8/12)
"We're now including most [Veterans Health Administration] employees and volunteers and contractors in the vaccine mandate because it remains the best way to keep veterans safe, especially as the Delta (B1617.2) variant spreads across the country," said Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, according to the Navy Times. This includes psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, nursing assistants, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, peer specialists, medical support assistants, engineers, and housekeepers at the VA. (Soucheray, 8/12)
