Proof of COVID vaccination required by Feb. 14
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 Feb. 14, 2022.
They can accomplish this 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 this QR code.
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.
The policy applies to USA Health staff including employees, licensed practitioners with privileges, students, interns, volunteers, and individuals who provide care, treatment or other services for USA Health and/or its patients under contract. Employees who already have submitted proof of immunization to their supervisors will not need to resubmit the information.
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. Employees will not be able to work after March 28, 2022, at USA Health hospitals if they are not vaccinated, in the process of being vaccinated or if they do not have an approved religious or medical exemption. USA Health will continue to update and remind department heads, managers and employees about this important requirement from CMS.
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.
