COVID vaccination or exemption required by Sunday, March 13
All USA Health staff are required to demonstrate their vaccination status by submitting proof of full COVID vaccination or obtaining an approved medical or religious exemption.
Note: Some links below may require being connected to a USA Health network.
To comply with federal regulations that have withstood legal challenges, all USA Health staff are required to show their vaccination status for COVID-19 no later than Sunday, March 13, 2022.
The requirement applies to all staff, physicians, residents, vendors, contractors, agency employees, volunteers and students.
They can show proof of vaccination status by bringing an immunization card to the Employee Health Office, completing an online COVID vaccination form or emailing a picture or copy of the card and their J-number to usacovidhealth@health.southalabama.edu. Employees also may request a medical or religious exemption, which can be found on the USA Health website or by utilizing the QR code.
On March 14, those who have not shown proof of vaccination status or submitted an exemption form will be suspended without pay until they meet the requirement. Employees not in compliance by March 28 will be separated from employment.
Staff who are not fully vaccinated can get the vaccine at the Employee Health Office, USA Health Industrial Medicine clinic, local pharmacies and other locations that administer COVID-19 vaccines.
An individual is fully vaccinated 14 days after the administration of the two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the one-dose shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to the USA Health COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. In addition, the individual must meet any ongoing requirements for full vaccination issued by the CDC or mandated by a regulatory agency with jurisdiction over USA Health facilities.
The policy was announced in response to a new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which impacts most healthcare settings, including hospitals and health systems that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
USA Health thanks all team members and colleagues in advance for their attention to this important requirement.
For more information, contact USA Health Human Resources at hr@health.southalabama.edu or 251-415-1604.
