To best protect its patients, community, and colleagues, Virtua Health will require all 14,000-plus members of its workforce to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 15, 2021.

This decision is based on CDC recommendations and the overwhelming scientific consensus that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and critically important to saving lives and ending the pandemic.

“As care providers, we have an obligation to ‘do no harm,’” said Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, president and CEO of Virtua Health, South Jersey’s largest health system. “Having our colleagues protected against this terrible virus helps ensure we keep that promise.”

To date, 158 million Americans have received the COVID-19 vaccine – clearly showing its safety and effectiveness. Additionally, Virtua Health has administered more than 420,000 vaccine doses – primarily through its role at the Burlington County COVID-19 Vaccine Mega-Site, in addition to community-based clinics and employee vaccine drives.

“Advancing public health requires everyone to do their part, so it is critical that health care workers lead by example,” said Dr. Martin Topiel, head of infectious diseases at Virtua Health. “Safety is at the heart of everything we do; a fully vaccinated workforce ensures safe environments of care.”

The majority of Virtua employees are already fully vaccinated. All colleagues, regardless of vaccination status, will continue to maintain COVID-19 safety protocols per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Virtua will consider employee requests for reasonable accommodation based on religious beliefs or disability/medical condition on an individual basis.