We are announcing a significant change in our COVID-19 vaccination mandate based on the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and updated guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Specifically, on June 5, 2023, CMS published a final rule in the Federal Register withdrawing its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for employees of CMS-certified healthcare facilities including, but not limited to, hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Although this final rule will not be effective until August 4, CMS has announced that it will no longer enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Additionally, ACHC (our CMS surveyor) has confirmed that enforcement of the COVID-19 vaccination requirement has ceased, effective for surveys taking place on or after June 5, 2023.
Kettering Health has taken the following steps effective immediately.
- We have updated the EH-KH immunization and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Screening policy as follows:
- The COVID-19 vaccine has been changed from required to recommended.
- We have removed language referencing religious and medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine, since the vaccine is no longer required.
Note: This policy update applies to all Kettering Health job applicants, employees, contractors, vendors, members of the medical staff, students, those who job shadow, and temporary agency personnel.
- Pre-Employment Services will continue to document COVID-19 vaccination status for new hires, and it will educate new hires on the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, applicants will not be required to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or an approved medical or religious exemption as a condition of hire/employment.
- Employee Health will continue to collect COVID-19 vaccination cards for those who receive the vaccine, including any boosters, and we encourage employees to submit that information.
- Students will no longer need to sign a COVID-19 vaccine attestation or present COVID-19 vaccine documentation for assigned training programs within Kettering Health.