Mayo Clinic vaccine mandate takes effect January 4th

A vaccine mandate at Mayo Clinic takes effect today, as Mayo had stated starting back in September of 2021 that all employees were required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination by January 3rd, 2022, or be fired, and employees who did not receive the vaccine are now being terminated. .A letter from State District 27A Representative Peggy Bennett, a Republican from Albert Lea and 37 other state lawmakers back in December requested that Mayo Clinic end COVID-19 vaccine mandates for its employees.  Representative Bennett stated that if Mayo’s current policy stays in place, it could add to an already existing problem of staffing issues with healthcare facilities in Greater Minnesota…

A previous COVID-19 vaccination policy from Mayo stated that all staff members were strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, but those who declined to be vaccinated for COVID-19 were to complete education modules and be required to wear masks and socially distance themselves when on campus.  The lawmakers sent the letter to Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia in the wake of a federal judge ruling the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did not have authority to order hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers to vaccinate all of their workers.  Among the other 37 lawmakers who signed onto the letter was State District 27B Representative Patricia Mueller, a Republican from Austin.