By Kerri Hatt
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI) recently posted the results of a flash poll the organization conducted on the topic of COVID-19 vaccination.
Of the 247 flash poll respondents, 21% noted their agencies are currently mandating the COVID-19 vaccination for their workforce, while 79% noted their agencies are not.
The 52 respondents who reported a vaccine mandate identified the response from providers as:
- “No big deal ... ” – 18
- “Lots of teeth gnashing ... ” – 10
- “We lost a few employees” – 27
- “We lost a lot of employees” – 15
For respondents who did not report a vaccine mandate, 41% noted their agency is considering one. The flash poll received 186 responses to the question, “If you have NOT implemented mandatory vaccines, but are considering it, on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being most concerned, how concerned are you about your employees jumping ship if you mandate COVID vaccines?” The average response was 4.11.
When asked what their organizations would do if they mandate a COVID-19 vaccine and employees do not comply by the deadline, 11% noted they would terminate their employment, 21% said they would put them on unpaid leave and 14% reported they would take no action.
Asked how their organizations are incentivizing COVID-19 vaccination amongst providers, some responses included cash, gift cards and paid time off – some through a drawing. Others relied on education and encouragement from senior leadership, while some respondents noted specifically that they are leaving the decision up to employees.
Results from the poll are summarized here, and 85 EMS agency leaders who indicated they are willing to share their policies and procedures are listed here.
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