Universities and hospitals will not mandate vaccines amid FDA approval
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
U.S. health officials are hopeful the FDA's approval of the Pfizer "Comirnaty" vaccine will encourage more people to get vaccinated and mandate vaccines.
Some local Mid-Missouri universities and hospitals have no plans to mandate employee and student vaccines amid the approval.
Universities
University leaders told KMIZ they will continue to encourage vaccination in the community but do not think it is at the point where it is necessary to mandate the coronavirus vaccine.
MU spokesman, Christian Basi said the university is pleased to hear about the Pfizer FDA approval but will not yet mandate the vaccines.
The University is doing a vaccine incentive where all interested students and staff can upload proof of vaccination in order to win exciting prizes. So far 13,000 people have submitted proof of vaccination which is about one-third of the MU community.
The University has mask and social distancing mandates in place and will re-evaluate the mask mandate on September 15.
Lincoln University strongly encourages vaccination within the community but will not yet mandate it.
Westminster College is planning to review the Pfizer approval before making any decisions on the mandate.
Hospitals
Boone Health said it hopes to have 100% of its staff vaccinated but will not require the vaccine right now.
Earlier this month, MU Health Care and SSM Health announced workers will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 1.
Heidi Lucas, Director of the Missouri Nurse Association said it is important for hospital employees to be vaccinated when dealing with high-risk patients, and being in environments with high transmission.
"We support the hospitals that have mandated the vaccines and we encourage everyone who is willing, able, and compatible with vaccination to go ahead and get the COVID-19 vaccine," Lucas said.
