Health Secretary Xavier Becerra on Thursday stated The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has made it mandatory for its health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The staff of the Indian Health Service (IHS), focused on Indians in the US. According to an HHS statement, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be impacted by this decision.
HSS Mandates Covid-19 Vaccines For Health Care Staff
There are over 25,000 employees, contractors, trainees, and volunteers whose duties put them in contact or potential contact with covid 19 patients at a Health and Human Service medical or clinical research facility.
Becerra said.”Our main aim is to ensure the health and safety of the American public, including our federal workers.”
The statement said that it is mandatory for the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to get vaccinated immediately.
Health and Human Service is the latest federal department to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory.
Department of Health and Human Services had made it compulsory for its front-facing health care employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19, making it the second federal department to mandate vaccinations for its employees.
The policy announced on Thursday stated that the vaccine mandate will be applicable to more than 25,000 officials working with Health and Human Service including the staff at the Indian Health Services and National Institutes of Health who operate health and clinical research facilities or who are likely to come into contact with covid 19 patients.
The Public Health Service Commissioned Corps of the US, which consists of more than 6,000 health workers who respond to public health crises around the country, will also be included under this.
Health and Human Service Secretary Xavier Becerra said “As our main objective is to ensure the health and safety of the American public, including our federal workforce. The vaccines are the effective tools that we have to protect our people from Covid-19, and prevent the rapid spread of the Delta variant to save lives”.
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After Biden’s administration lawyers stated that it was legal for private business firms and public agencies to get the Covid-19 vaccinations.
On Thursday, the VA expanded its mandate to include most employees, contractors, and volunteers who work in Veterans Health Administration facilities or otherwise the people who come into contact with covid patients and health workers.
The Department of Defense recently stated that it is mandatory for its members to get the vaccine as well, amid a coronavirus revival driven by the Delta variant. Daily new cases have skyrocketed in the last month across the globe, reaching the highest levels since the start of the 2nd wave.
An HHS official said that based on those who voluntarily reported their status, the department estimates that about 20 to 30 percent of the population covered by the mandate is currently unvaccinated.
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The remaining employees will be subject to a government-wide policy that requires workers to get vaccinated or submit to a slew of precautions, including regular Covid-19 testing, mask-wearing, and travel restrictions.ṣ
