Lyons VA Medical Center Mandates COVID Vaccine For All Employees

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — All VA New Jersey Health Care System employees, including at Lyons VA Medical Center in Basking Ridge, will soon be vaccinated, said officials at the facility.

"Recognizing that COVID-19 and its variants could have a serious impact on Veterans and employees" the Veterans Health Administration is requiring all VHA Health Care Personnel to receive full vaccination against COVID-19 by Sept. 21, said VA New Jersey Health Care System Spokeswoman Christine Betros Farrell.

The requirement became effective as of July 27.

This directive came ahead of Gov. Phil Murphy's announcement on Monday which says that starting Sept. 7, workers in New Jersey healthcare settings and other high-risk settings will be subject to COVID testing once or twice per week if they're not fully vaccinated against the virus. Read more: COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing Now Mandatory For NJ Health Care Staff

Around the state, healthcare facilities that still have unvaccinated workers by Sept. 7 will need a plan in place to test those employees. The rules also apply to other high-risk settings, such as long-term care and assisted living facilities, rehab centers, county jails and state prisons.

The state "strongly encouraged" private facilities to implement stricter protocols than New Jersey's requirements.

"Vaccination is the best tool we have to end this pandemic," said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. "None of us would want our vulnerable loved ones put at further risk due to their caregiver or healthcare provider. Ensuring these individuals are fully vaccinated or have been tested will help protect those who live in these congregate settings or need hospital care."

The discussion around vaccine mandates for healthcare employees has caused nationwide controversy, and New Jersey hasn't been immune. RWJBarnabas Health confirmed that it fired six employees who refused to get a coronavirus vaccine.

RWJBarnabas was the first New Jersey hospital network to mandate the vaccine. Hackensack Meridian Health and Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth.

— With reporting from Carly Baldwin and Josh Bakan

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