COVID Vaccines Now Mandatory For All Bayshore Hospital Staff

HOLMDEL, NJ - Bayshore Medical Center, under Hackensack Meridian Health, will require all employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus by later this year, officials said.

According to a spokesperson from the healthcare system, all employees, physicians, volunteers, vendors and consultants will be required to be fully vaccinated by November. Individuals must receive at least one dose of either Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J by Oct. 1 and the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna by Nov. 15.

“COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be safe and highly effective at preventing transmission, hospitalizations and death from the virus,” said Dr. Daniel Varga, Chief Physician Executive, Hackensack Meridian Health.

“We are requiring vaccinations for all team members to help stop the spread of this deadly virus and keep our patients, team members and visitors safe. Mandatory vaccinations are the best way to achieve herd immunity, and protect our communities from the deadly variants that are threatening to wreak havoc in the months ahead. They’re our best shot at defeating this pandemic once and for all, saving lives and returning to normal.”

Those who remain unvaccinated at that time without an approved exemption will be subject to suspension. Continued non-compliance will result in termination, the spokesperson said.

Limited exemptions may be granted to the extent required by law for those who apply for exemption approval by Aug. 16 and have a qualifying medical condition or religious/strongly held belief.

Over 70 percent of Hackensack Meridian Health employees across 17 hospitals in the state have received the vaccine as of July 19, the spokesperson said.

Other hospital systems locally and around the country have instituted similarly mandates. RWJ Barnabas Healthcare was the first New Jersey system to do so when it made the COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for its staff in May. Read more: RWJ Barnabas Anticipates Requiring COVID Vaccine For All Staff

With additional reporting by Karen Wall.