Montage Health to require COVID-19 vaccinations for employees

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) All employees at Montage Health will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in the coming months.

A spokesperson for the company, Monica Sciuto, said all employees are required to be fully vaccinated by October 1, but there are some limited medical and religious exemptions.

The vaccinations are required to remain employed by the company, according to Sciuto.

"We know that the absolutely best and most efficient way for us to combat this pandemic is through vaccination," said Dr. Steve Packer, President, and CEO of Montage Health.

The Delta variant is causing concern in the medical community, as more and more cases of COVID-19 are being reported throughout the country. The CEO of Montage Health says they're seeing an uptick in COVID patients.

"There have been over 60 professional organizations, the American Medical Association, the Nursing Association, the American Hospital Association, the American College of Surgeons, all of whom have recommended that healthcare organizations mandate their workforce be vaccinated," said Packer.

Still, one nurse who wanted to remain anonymous for fears of losing their job, wrote into KION News tips, expressing their frustration with the recent decision.

"It's important to have the right to make their own medical decisions, especially when it comes to something authorized for emergency use," said the Montage Health Nurse.

According to the CEO of Montage Health, 87 percent of their 2,975 person staff is vaccinated, leaving around 385 people that are still unvaccinated.

"If after October 1st, if we have staff who have not been vaccinated, we won't be able to continue. They'll be initially suspended and ultimately, their employment with us will not be able to continue," said Packer.

Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital is requiring new hires to be vaccinated while Dominican Hospital currently has no mandate.