Abstract
Although a growing number of healthcare facilities are implementing healthcare personnel (HCP) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination requirements, vaccine exemption request management as a part of such programs is not well described. Cross-sectional survey. Infectious disease (ID) physician members of the Emerging Infections Network with infection prevention or hospital epidemiology responsibilities. Eligible persons were sent a web-based survey focused on hospital plans and practices around exemption allowances from HCP COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Of the 695 ID physicians surveyed, 263 (38%) responded. Overall, 160 respondent institutions (92%) allowed medical exemptions, whereas 132 (76%) allowed religious exemptions. In contrast, only 14% (n = 24) allowed deeply held personal belief exemptions. The types of medical exemptions allowed varied considerably across facilities, with allergic reactions to the vaccine or its components accepted by 145 facilities (84%). For selected scenarios commonly used as the basis for religious and deeply held personal belief exemption requests, 144 institutions (83%) would not approve exemptions focused on concerns regarding right of consent or violations of freedom of personal choice, and 140 institutions (81%) would not approve exemptions focused on introducing foreign substances into one's body or the sanctity of the body. Most respondents noted plans for additional infection prevention interventions for HCP who received an exemption for COVID-19 vaccination. Although many respondent institutions allowed exemptions from HCP COVID-19 vaccination requirements, the types of exemptions allowed and how the exemption programs were structured varied widely.
Highlights
Those healthcare facilities that have yet to establish a mandatory Healthcare personnel (HCP) COVID-19 vaccination program will soon follow suit, given the recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Interim Final Rule that requires the establishment of COVID-19 vaccination requirements for HCP.[4]
The ability for HCP to request an exemption to such policies, whether medical or religious or personal belief in nature, has legal precedent, but little is known about the variety of approaches to these exemption requests
The current study has provided some insight into the utilization and application of exemptions from HCP COVID-19 vaccination requirements at healthcare facilities across the United States
Summary
Hospital allows deeply held personal belief exemptions from the HCP vaccination requirement (ie, for beliefs opposing vaccination) Most respondents stated that there were plans for additional infection prevention interventions for those who received an exemption for COVID-19 vaccination at their institutions.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
