DENVER — The Colorado State Board of Health in an August 30 meeting voted to approve emergency rules that require COVID-19 vaccinations for all staff members working in health care facilities.
“At this time, approximately 30% of the health care workforce remain unvaccinated,” the board wrote in a news release after the meeting. “With the rise in the Delta variant and increased stress on the healthcare system, ensuring that all workers in licensed healthcare facilities are vaccinated is one of the most effective means the state can take to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the most at-risk Coloradans and end this ongoing pandemic.”
Governor Jared Polis earlier this month wrote a letter to the board asking them to impose this mandate.
The new vaccine requirements apply at the following facilities:
- General hospitals
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Community clinics
- Rehabilitation hospitals
- Convalescent centers
- Community mental health centers
- Acute treatment units
- Facilities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Nursing care facilities
- Hospice care facilities
- Assisted living residences
- Dialysis treatment clinics
- Ambulatory surgical centers
- Birthing centers
- Home care agencies
According to the health department, the mandate does not apply to primary care physicians or urgent care centers. The Colorado Sun reports that roughly 3,600 facilities will be affected by the vaccination policy.
During a news conference on Aug. 31, CDPHE's Incident Commander Scott Bookman answered a question about any concerns of hospital staffing shortages given this mandate.
"This vaccine is the ticket out of this pandemic. It is safe. It is effective. It reduces the risk of hospitalization. It reduces the risk of death. And we need to make sure our most vulnerable are protected," Bookman said.
Bookman went on to say, "While we understand there are concerns around staffing, this prioritization is critical to ensure that we keep our most vulnerable safe. We will continue to partner with our health care providers to evaluate any staffing issues they have in the short run."
Many major health care networks like UCHealth, Banner Health and Denver Health have already announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for employees.
After UCHealth announced their requirements, a group of health care workers protested against the mandate.
