Northern Light Health will require staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 when emergency use authorization is lifted

BREWER — Stating that the evidence of COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness is strong; and it is imperative we act responsibly for the Maine residents who rely on us to safely care for and protect them, Northern Light Health president and CEO Tim Dentry said that once one or more of the vaccines currently in use is fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration all employees will be vaccinated as a condition of employment, with very few exceptions. Currently, the vaccines are being administered under emergency use authorization. 

Dentry added that Northern Light doesn’t take this step lightly, rather, he said it was made with an informed understanding of reducing risk in our state. “We carefully considered research, data, and trends — and safety must continue to be our absolute top priority. Getting vaccinated is the single most important and responsible step each of us can take.”

In Maine and across the nation, vaccinations have proven highly effective to reducing the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives. To date, Northern Light Health has administered 250,154 doses of vaccine statewide. As of July 19, almost 80 percent of our employees were already vaccinated – now we need the rest to do their part.

In requiring all employees to become vaccinated within six weeks of full vaccine approval, Northern Light Health joins scores of other hospitals and health systems nationwide. Dentry acknowledged this decision could be unsettling for some employees and said he and other leaders have listened to concerns and answered questions from employees and others about the safety of the vaccine. “Our preference has always been to help staff make the right choice to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. With the emergency use being lifted and with clinical guidance we know the time is now to require it for all Northern Light employees.”