(KNSI) – CentraCare Health’s President and Chief Executive Officer is defending the healthcare systems COVID 19 vaccine mandate. The requirement applies to all CentraCare and Carris Health staff, including those working remotely, on-site volunteers and staff members contracted with other companies but work in those medical facilities. CentraCare has given workers until December 15th to get vaccinated.
CentraCare CEO Ken Holmen said they have an obligation to protect patients.
“Nearly 70% of Minnesotans are vaccinated. They want to be cared for in a place that has high standards. And one of the frequent questions we get from a patient who comes in is, has my staff member been vaccinated? And that’s the challenge for us. We want to make sure that we’re not passing on infectious diseases.”
At the height of the pandemic, more than 1,000 nurses were out sick. The Ox asked Holmen if they’re worried people will quit because of the mandate.
“The answer is we don’t want to lose anybody. I mean, these are people that have families here. They grew up here. We also recognize by having a vaccination requirement for employees, we’re actually saving jobs. We’re saving lives. If we don’t have a vaccine requirement. Just think of all the subsequent deaths.”
Holmen says there have been over 1000 deaths from COVID in the CentraCare service area.
He says vaccination requirements aren’t new to healthcare.
“I have to be vaccinated for about eight different things in order for me to work at CentraCare. And they’re good vaccinations. Polio, smallpox, rubella, measles so, vaccination as a requirement for employment is standard in healthcare. Every healthcare organization in the world requires some level of vaccination.”
He says the delta variant and the unvaccinated are driving the current infection rate. Holmen says around 10% of COVID tests are coming back positive in Central Minnesota.
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