CCMSD enforces vaccine mandate

Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) has implemented a new policy that says all staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19. The board of trustees approved the document on Friday.

As explained by the board’s attorney, Kara Ellsbury, the district now has no choice but to implement the new policy. The United States Supreme Court upheld the mandate for private healthcare facilities, she said, “So now we have to comply with it.”

Pursuant to the federal requirements set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), all CCMSD staff must now either receive a vaccination or be granted a legally recognize exemption. The policy applies to all staff who work at a district facility, regardless of whether they are a full-time employee or contracted.

“Individuals that are not fully vaccinated will not be able to provide care, treatment or services for the facility or its residents/patients until they have, at a minimum, received one dose,” states the policy.

The policy outlines medical and religious exemptions that will be considered allowable. Medical exemptions, it says, “generally are appropriate for those who have experienced a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Staff members will be required to provide documentation that confirms their recognized clinical contraindication, as well as a statement from their medical practitioner recommending they be exempt and confirmation from a licensed practitioner.

Exemptions may also be requested for a “sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice.” Personal preference or non-religious concerns do not qualify for this type of exemption.

To make a request for exemption based on religious beliefs, staff members will need to submit a description of the nature of their objection and an explanation of how complying with the requirement would burden their religious exercise or conflict with their beliefs.

Any staff member who receives an exemption will be required to wear a CDC-approved face covering and submit documentation of an approved negative COVID-19 test each week.