Edward-Elmhurst Health Requires COVID-19 Vaccines For Employees

NAPERVILLE, IL — Edward-Elmhurst Health, with hospitals in Elmhurst and Naperville, will require its workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 25, officials announced Tuesday.

Edward-Elmhurst Health employs 8,500 people, including 1,900 nurses and 2,000 physicians, on its medical staff, along with 1,200 volunteers.

Officials said the decision is based on "clear and straightforward evidence" that people who get vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to suffer from the disease and can prevent health consequences.

Mary Lou Mastro, system CEO at Edward-Elmhurst Health, said in a statement Tuesday that healthcare workers are at risk for COVID-19 since they come into contact every day with patients who are elderly, sick or immunocompromised.

"We recognize that not everyone will agree with this decision," Mastro said. "The ethical framework under which we operate, however, means that it is our responsibility to do good, and an individual’s right to autonomy ends when that person’s actions may harm others. Vaccines, fully supported by the medical community, have been protecting people from disease for centuries, nearly eliminating smallpox, polio, rubella and others. This is the right thing to do."

Edward-Elmhurst officials said exemptions will be granted to employees with approved medical and religious reasons, according to a news release.

Related reading:

• Silver Cross To Require COVID-19 Vaccines For All Workers
• Amita Health To Require Vaccination For Employees
• Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Full Approval From U.S. Regulators

The hospital system joins a growing number of hospitals mandating the vaccine for their employees. The decision comes a day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 and older.

Amita Health and Silver Cross Hospital also announced a vaccine requirement for their employees Tuesday. Amita employees have until Nov. 12 to receive their doses, while Silver Cross workers were given a Nov. 15 deadline.