Intermountain’s Executive Leadership Team announced yesterday all caregivers—including remote caregivers and partners who work onsite in our facilities—will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine or have an approved exemption. The decision is in response to the Biden Administration’s announcement made on September 9 requiring federal agencies to implement COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
“In order to remain fully compliant with federal requirements to care for the hundreds of thousands of patients in the communities that we serve, as well as for the safety and well-being of all patients and our caregivers, we’ve carefully made the decision to add this requirement,” says Mark Briesacher, MD, senior vice president and chief physician executive. “Following this government rule will enable us to continue to care for patients and members in our communities and help keep our caregivers as safe as possible, which is critical to our mission.”
Caregivers must receive at least one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, by January 5, 2022. The due date for the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna is February 9, 2022. Caregivers who aren’t vaccinated with a first dose and who don’t receive an exemption by January 5 will be subject to suspension and eventually loss of employment.
“Every caregiver is a valued member of the Intermountain team, and we will walk you through each step of this requirement,” says Heather Brace, senior vice president and chief people officer.
Here are the steps you need to take to meet this requirement:
1. Provide consent for Intermountain to access your COVID-19 vaccination record. “When we hosted caregiver vaccine clinics in early 2021, we did so as a healthcare provider—not employer,” explains Mark. “Now that the vaccine is an employment requirement, we need your permission to access your COVID-19 vaccine record.”
The easy two-step digital process allows you to give consent and upload COVID-19 vaccine documentation if you didn’t receive your vaccine at an Intermountain facility. The system only accesses your COVID-19 vaccine record, nothing else. Click here to provide consent and upload your documentation and use this help guide if you have questions. You must be connected to the Intermountain server (onsite at a facility or on PingID/PulseSecure) for the consent link to work. You can also submit a photo or copy of your COVID vaccination card to Employee Health at ehservices@imail.org,
2. If needed, apply for a medical or religious exemption by December 1, 2021. Exemption requests will be evaluated by the medical exemption or religious exemption committees. If you’re granted an exemption, you’ll be required to mask at work. There may be a COVID-19 testing requirement too, per federal regulations or for other safety reasons, and we’ll let you know how that guidance evolves. Click here to apply for an exemption.
3. Schedule an appointment to get vaccinated. If you haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine yet, caregiver vaccine clinics are happening now with both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Remember, you must receive at least one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, by January 5, 2022. The due date for the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna is February 9, 2022. Remember, fully vaccinated is defined as receiving two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Boosters are not included in the requirement.
If you have additional questions about this new requirement, please speak with your leader. There are also resources available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement webpage like FAQs, step-by-step guides, and roles and responsibilities.
- For medical questions specific to the COVID-19 vaccine: Contact our Employee Health Hotline by calling 801-442-6767 to talk to a registered nurse or Medical Assistant. You can also talk to your primary care provider.
- For non-medical questions specific to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement: Contact Ask HR at 801-442-7547 or askhr@imail.org, or speak with your supervisor.
- General inquires can be sent to covid19@imail.org. Questions will be answered within two business days.