Two 'General Hospital' Stars Leave Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Two actors are no longer the cast of "General Hospital" after refusing to comply with the production's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, a source confirmed to Patch.

"General Hospital" began requiring COVID-19 vaccinations on Nov. 1 for cast and crew working in unmasked settings, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Steve Burton, who has played Jason Morgan since 1991, said in an Instagram video that he was fired for refusing to get the vaccine after his requests for medical and religious exemptions were denied. Burton filmed his last episode on Oct. 27.

Ingo Rademacher, who plays Jasper "Jax" Jacks, left the show earlier this month after failing to comply with the show's vaccine mandate. Rademacher's last episode aired Monday.

Burton and Rademacher will no longer be on the show because they failed to comply with the vaccine mandate, confirmed a person familiar with the situation, who agreed to speak with Patch on condition of anonymity.

"This is also about personal freedom to me. I don't think anybody should lose their livelihood over this," Burton said on his Instagram. He added: "I am excited to see what the future brings. And maybe one day, if these mandates are lifted, I can return and finish my career as Jason Morgan, that would be an honor. And if not, I'm going to take this amazing experience, move forward and be forever grateful."

Rademacher also took to social media long before this incident to express his opinions against vaccine mandates.

There is currently no uniform vaccine mandate for film or TV productions, though many have adopted ones such as ABC's, The New York Times reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says workplace vaccination programs can help keep the workforce healthy, protect customers and clients from COVID-19 and improve productivity by reducing absences due to COVID-19. Vaccines effectively reduce the risk of COVID-19 and protect people ages 5 and older from the virus and any of its complications, according to the CDC.