Valley Health Will Terminate 72 Unvaccinated Employees

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Valley Health System, which operates Ridgewood's Valley Hospital, informed 72 employees who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 that their employment will be terminated next week.

A spokesperson for Valley told Patch that 98 percent of the company's employees have chosen to receive the vaccine, which includes all employees and physicians, as well as volunteers and independent physicians of the medical staff.

Valley Health System employs more than 5,500 people, the company said, and officials have "taken steps to ensure that there will be no lapses in patient care as of November 1."

"The decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccination was made with the health and safety of our staff, physicians, patients, and their families in mind," a statement from Valley read.

"Based on the empirical scientific evidence, we believe that masking, social distancing, and vaccination provide the greatest protection against the spread of COVID-19. Taking this step signifies Valley’s commitment to safely serving our community, and it honors the sacrifices made by those who have served on the front lines, those who suffered with the disease, those who lost their lives, and those who lost loved ones during the pandemic."

Valley isn't the only hospital system in New Jersey to set a vaccine mandate, nor the first to terminate employees who didn't comply with a mandate.

RWJ Barnabas, the second largest hospital system in the state, recently terminated 118 employees who didn't comply with the mandate, and fired six supervisors during the summer for the same reason. Read more: NJ Hospital Fires 124 For Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine

Hackensack Meridian Health gave employees until Nov. 15 to be fully vaccinated. Atlantic Health System shared this statement on their policy:

As of today approximately 87 percent of team members at Atlantic Health System have received at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19. In order to protect our patients, families and one another, at this time Atlantic Health System is requiring unvaccinated team members to either receive the vaccine or to be tested weekly before reporting to work. We are proud to share that at this point, no team member has refused to participate in our program. At Atlantic Health System the health and safety of our patients, communities and team members are our highest priority.

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