Most of the state鈥檚 major hospitals are requiring their staff to get COVID vaccines. And while that鈥檚 been met by pushback from some staffers, it鈥檚 welcomed by most others.
Dr. Steven Burdette is the chief of Infectious Disease and Wright State University and says hospitals already require vaccines for many illnesses and have exceptions for medical or religious reasons. So he鈥檚 all for hospitals requiring staff to get COVID shots.
鈥淚鈥檓 tired of having doctors die, I鈥檓 tired of seeing respiratory therapists die, I鈥檓 tired of seeing nurses die, I鈥檓 tired of seeing patient care techs and medical assistants die of COVID. I鈥檝e lost colleagues. I鈥檝e lost friends. I鈥檝e lost peers in this area and across the nation,鈥� Burdette says.
Burdette says more vaccinations mean safer conditions for medical professionals. Public hospitals were excluded from a law taking effect in October that bans schools and public colleges from requiring COVID shots. But some lawmakers say they鈥檒l back bills preventing employers from mandating COVID vaccines.
