YKHC implements new vaccine and testing requirements for all employees

by YKHC Staff

Following recent exponential growth of COVID-19 cases across the region, the emergence of the Delta variant, and limited statewide critical care resources for COVID-19 patients, on Thursday, August 5, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) implemented a new COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy effective immediately.

Under this new policy, YKHC will require COVID-19 vaccination of all employees or twice-weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing of unvaccinated employees.

“YKHC’s mission and number one priority has always been to protect the health and safety of our customers and our workforce,” said Vice President of Hospital Services Jim Sweeney. “Increasing vaccination rates is more urgent than ever and we are pleased with the positive response the policy has received from our YKHC community.”

YKHC currently employs just over 1,400 people. Upon receipt of COVID-19 vaccines, following CDC vaccine distribution guidelines, an overwhelming majority of YKHC healthcare workers and employees were vaccinated against COVID-19.

“With more than 13,000 YK Delta residents and almost 167 million Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19, we’ve seen firsthand that these vaccines are safe and highly effective in reducing the prevalence of the disease,” said Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges. “The COVID-19 vaccines also prevent severe illness that may result in hospitalizations or lead to death.”

“Requiring COVID-19 vaccination or twice-weekly testing of unvaccinated employees helps to protect the health of residents in the YK Delta,” said Patient Care Services Administrator Patricia Smith. “The health of YKHC employees is particularly essential to our ability to provide the comprehensive healthcare resources the region relies on, especially during the ongoing pandemic.”

There may be rare circumstances where an employee may be exempt from the policy following an internal review process. Employees who are unvaccinated for any reason will be required to adopt additional mitigation measures, including twice-weekly COVID-19 testing.

Employees have 30 days to come into compliance with the policy. YKHC will continue to monitor conditions of the ongoing pandemic and adjust policies as necessary.

Since the start of the pandemic, more than 5,700 people in the YK Delta have tested positive for COVID-19. Seventy-two individuals have been hospitalized in-region, 25 patients have been medevac’d out of region and 26 individuals have died due to COVID-19. To date, no fully vaccinated individuals have required hospitalization for COVID-19 in the YK Delta.

The consensus of the global medical community, including the CDC and YKHC, is that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

All individuals over age 12 are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. To sign up, visit https://tinyurl.com/8kb9vth or call 1-800-478-6599.