Trinity Health Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for All Colleagues

LIVONIA, MICH. (July 8, 2021) – Trinity Health today announced effective immediately, the national health system will require all colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities be vaccinated against COVID-19. The requirement applies to Trinity Health’s more than 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide in an effort to stop the spread of the virus and keep all patients, colleagues and the broader communities safe. This includes the nearly 11,000 Trinity Health Of New England colleagues in both Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Since December 2020, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first vaccine for Emergency Use Authorization, Trinity Health has strongly encouraged vaccination for all colleagues and within the communities its various Health Ministries serve. To date, the health system estimates nearly 75% of Trinity Health employees have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and it now looks to close the gap with this new requirement.

“Trinity Health Of New England strongly supports vaccination, as it aligns with our Core Value of safety,” said Reggy Eadie, M.D., M.B.A., President and CEO of Trinity Health Of New England. “The science has proven the vaccines currently available are both safe and effective. We feel strongly that the COVID-19 vaccine is the single most effective tool in slowing, and even stopping, the spread of the coronavirus. As leaders in health care we have an obligation to do our part to protect ourselves, our colleagues, our patients, and our communities.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate more than 331 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the U.S. The vaccines have proven to be safe and effective against symptomatic infections, hospitalizations and death with more than 99% of COVID-19 deaths today occurring in unvaccinated people.

“We remain dedicated to providing outreach and education to both colleagues and our community about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine,” said Syed Hussain, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Trinity Health Of New England. “Since prior to the arrival of the first shipment of the vaccine, we offered a variety of opportunities for colleagues and their loved ones to get their vaccine-related questions and concerns answered. Education about the vaccine continues today with interactive webinar sessions available to all colleagues across our region.”

Employees at Trinity Health and its Health Ministries must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with most locations requiring them to submit proof of vaccination by September 21, 2021. It has not yet been determined if a COVID-19 vaccine booster will be required annually, but if so, employees will also need to submit proof of the booster as needed. Exemptions are available for religious or health reasons and must be formally requested, documented and approved. Employees who do not meet criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will face termination of employment.

About Trinity Health Of New England

Trinity Health Of New England is an integrated nonprofit health care delivery system formed in 2015 and is a member of Trinity Health located in Livonia, Michigan, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation serving communities in 22 states. Trinity Health Of New England is comprised of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut; Johnson Memorial Hospital and Home & Community Health Services in Stafford Springs, Connecticut; Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut; Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts; Brightside for Families and Children. Visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org for more information and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @THOfNewEngland

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the nation, serving diverse communities that include more than 30 million people across 22 states. Trinity Health includes 91 hospitals, as well as 113 continuing care locations. Based in Livonia, Michigan, and with annual operating revenues of $19.4 billion, the organization returns $1.3 billion to its communities annually in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. Trinity Health employs 117,000 colleagues, including 6,800 employed physicians and clinicians. For more information, visit www.trinity-health.org. You can also follow Trinity Health on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.