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The Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) is recommending the state’s hospitals require employees be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Columbus hospitals are among those now requiring the vaccine, but hospitals in Akron have yet to make a move.
There is no mandate at Akron General Hospital at the moment, but in an email, spokeswoman Beth Hertz said they are encouraging and educating caregivers about the vaccine.
SummaHealth’s CEO Cliff Deveny said he supports the OHA recommendation, and while there is no requirement for staff vaccinations yet, they’re watching the situation closely.
Akron Children’s Hospital offered a similar response. Chief Operating Officer Lisa Aurilio said they are limiting visitors and continuing to require masks. The hospital is also exploring the impact of adding the vaccination as part of employee health requirements.
This recommendation comes in response to the increase in delta variant cases across the country, as well as Ohio’s low vaccination rate, with only half of the state's population fully vaccinated.
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