Oct 14, 2021 - COVID

Philadelphia health care workers face Friday vaccine deadline

Taylor Allen

Illustration of syringes forming a health plus/cross — Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Philly is pushing forward with its mandate that all health care workers must get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Friday, the city's health chief said at a press conference Wednesday.

State of play: More than 85% of the city's health care workers in long-term care facilities have at least one dose.

What they're saying: The Pennsylvania Health Care Association warned acting Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole this week that the city's 47 nursing homes will have to dismiss up to 2,400 employees because of the mandate, per The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Bettigole said the city does not expect widespread staff shortages.

The intrigue: Bettigole also suggested the city isn't extending the deadline because the federal government is supposed to provide details later this month about a vaccine mandate for all health care facilities receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds.

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Philadelphia health care workers face Friday vaccine deadline

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