Keeping Patients Safe
- As the delta variant continues to spread in the United States, SurvivorNet talked to 11 cancer centers to see how they are keeping patients safe.
- The delta variant is a mutation from the original COVID-19 virus, and is twice as contagious.
- Four out of the 11 cancer centers who talked to SurvivorNet require employees to be fully vaccinated. The others do not currently require vaccinations.
There’s currently no blanket mandate for people to get vaccinated, though the Department of Veterans Affairs became the first federal agency to require medical facility employees to be vaccinated, and President Biden announced a federal government-wide mandate Thursday.
Read MoreDr. Brieze Keeley Bell explains how cancer patients can stay safe during COVID-19
What Cancer Centers Have to Say
During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals and cancer centers struggled to adjust to rapidly changing protocols and guidelines. However, as time went on, facilities adjusted and were able to welcome patients back through their doors for in-person visits. Now, as the delta variant continues to spread, and vaccination rates across the country hover at 48.9%, immunocompromised people continue to be at risk. People taking immunosuppressive medications (like chemotherapy), persons with hematologic (blood) cancers, among others, have shown reduced responses to the vaccines and might remain at increased risk for severe disease following vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Peace of mind is important during a cancer battle. Here’s where the top cancer hospitals stand on requiring vaccinations of healthcare workers.
Required Vaccinations
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Leaders will be required to obtain the first dose of an approved vaccine or apply for an exemption by August 15 and to be fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption by September 15. The deadline for requiring all employees to be vaccinated or have an approved exemption is under consideration and will be communicated at a later date, a spokesperson said.
Johns Hopkins Medicine
According to Dr. Paul Rothman, dean of the medical faculty for the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and chief executive officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine, an estimated 75% of hospital staff are currently fully vaccinated. Johns Hopkins will require all staff and employees to be fully vaccinated by the beginning of September.
Mayo Clinic
According to Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, Mayo Clinic’s president and CEO, the Mayo Clinic will require all employees and staff to be fully vaccinated by September 17 or to take part in a “declination” process. For those who refuse to be vaccinated, they will be required to take part in education modules and will be required to wear masks and socially distance when on campus.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
John Noble, media relations manager of Dana-Farber, tells SurvivorNet that employees are required to be vaccinated. “We will be mandating vaccines for all staff,” Noble says. “There is a timeline that we are working on now."
Dr. Thomas Martin explains what blood cancer patients should do after being vaccinated
Vaccinations Not Required
Montefiore-Einstein Center-Cancer
According to a Montefiore spokesperson, the cancer center does not require employees to be fully vaccinated but does strongly encourage their staff to get both doses.
NYU Langone Health
A spokesperson for NYU Langone Health stated that they have made every effort to make getting vaccinated easy and accessible for their staff, but does not currently require full vaccinations. However, the spokesperson also stated that the hospital may eventually require vaccinations once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the “prominent COVID-19 vaccines.”
University of Alabama’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center
A spokesperson for the University of Alabama said that vaccinations are available to all employees and staff for whoever would like to be vaccinated.
Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt does not require staff to be vaccinated, but they are taking precautions for those choosing not to be vaccinated. Those who have not received the vaccines will be required to wear masks while in the facility and social distance.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
A Cedars-Sinai spokesman told SurvivorNet that they strongly encourage all staff members to be vaccinated, but it is not required. However, the spokesman also said that their vaccination rates among employees have been one of the highest.
Dr. Elizabeth Comen explains why cancer screenings should continue during COVID-19
City of Hope National Medical Center
At the moment, City of Hope does not require all employees to be vaccinated but have assured that all federal, state, and local guidelines are being followed to keep patients safe.
Cleveland Clinic
While vaccinations are not required for employees at Cleveland Clinic, a spokesperson tells us that they will continue to monitor the situation while encouraging patients and caregivers to get vaccinated in order to prioritize infection prevention.
Contributing: Sean Smith
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
