SSM Health Requiring COVID-19 Vaccine For All Employees

SSM Health is now mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees, the health care provider announced Monday.

In a news release, SSM Health said it will require its nearly 40,000 employees, providers and volunteers to be fully vaccinated by the end of September – ahead of the cold/influenza season.

The decision was made in part due to the rising number of COVID cases driven by the new Delta variant.

“As health care providers, we’ve seen the devastating impact of this disease first-hand,” said Dr. Todd Shuman, MD, SSM Health Chief Medical Officer. “The fight against COVID-19 is not yet over. We must continue to be vigilant in doing everything we can to protect our team members, patients and communities.”

SSM Health is the latest to join other systems to make the vaccine mandatory.  

Employees can request an exemption for medical or religious reasons.