Novel coronavirus information

June 14, 2023

UW Medicine employee COVID-19 vaccination policy update (Message to UW Medicine employees)

QUICK READ:

  • UW Medicine has updated the policy for COVID-19 vaccination compliance, effective June 12, 2023, for all healthcare workers.
  • UW School of Medicine employees who do not work in clinical spaces should refer to UW Environmental Health & Safety for their compliance requirements.

To the UW Medicine Community:

On Monday, June 12, UW Medicine updated the employee COVID-19 vaccination policy. Previously, all employees were required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions and accommodations.

Updated policy: All new UW Medicine employees, faculty, GME trainees, contractors who provide patient care and vendors who provide patient care, except for UW School of Medicine personnel who do not work in clinical spaces, are required to be compliant with the COVID-19 Prevention Program. Like the Influenza Prevention Program, compliance can be met by one of the following:

  1. Completing a primary COVID-19 vaccination series and/or being up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines
  2. Obtaining an approved COVID-19 medical exemption
  3. Completing an online educational module and declining COVID-19 vaccination

Because almost all individuals in the U.S., including healthcare workers, have some level of immunity from vaccination or infection, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently discontinued their vaccination mandate for hospitals and clinics, which allows us to update our policy.

We continue to strongly encourage that all healthcare workers stay up to date with all vaccinations, including COVID-19 boosters. Being up to date with COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the safest way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your patients. More information about ensuring compliance with the influenza and COVID-19 vaccination policies will be available during the Fall 2023 COVID/Flu vaccination campaign.

If you have questions about this policy or need to update your information, please contact your local UW Medicine Employee Health Clinic.

Sincerely,

UW Medicine Employee Health