RWJBarnabas Health mandates COVID vaccination for all team members

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RWJBarnabas Health said July 26 that all its staff – including all employees, new employees and medical staff – must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15, 2021.

RWJBarnabas Health recently mandated vaccination for staff at the supervisor level and above with great success, the health system said. As of July 14, 2,979 staff members, or 99.7%, at the supervisor level and above have been fully vaccinated or received medical and religious exemptions or a deferral.

“It is critically important for our entire RWJBarnabas Health family to be vaccinated,” said Dr. John Bonamo, executive vice president and chief medical and quality officer for RWJBarnabas Health. “As health care workers and team members, we are obligated ethically and professionally to do everything we can to keep our patients and colleagues safe. This obligation is not met if unvaccinated staff are treating and interacting with our patients, or are at risk of spreading COVID-19 to each other.”

The largest academic health care system in New Jersey, RWJBarnabas said that as with the mandatory management vaccine program, non-compliance with this mandate will result in separation from the organization. In addition, all vendors and volunteers will need to show proof of vaccination.

The American Medical Association now says anyone who works in health care should be vaccinated against COVID-19.

RWJBarnabas Health will continue to offer vaccination for the foreseeable future for all team members as well as the community. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination, you can register here.