Essentia Health to Require COVID Vaccine as Condition of Employment

(Fargo, ND) -- Following the lead of Sanford and Eventide, Essentia Health will now require their employees to be vaccinated.

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Essentia Health’s patients and communities have counted on us for support, protection and to continue providing the high-quality care they deserve," said Media Relations Specialist for Essentia Tara Ekren. "That responsibility is a privilege, and it demands that we do all we can to keep our patients safe."

The healthcare provide says after careful consideration, Essentia will require all staff members to be vaccinated against COVID as a condition of their employment. Vaccination also will be required as a condition of entering our facilities to perform services for Essentia Health. Employees must receive their first dose of vaccine by October 1st and their second dose in a two-dose series by November 1st. There will be a process for requesting a medical exemption based on CDC guidelines or a religious exemption.

"This policy affects all of our employees, including remote workers, along with volunteers, students, non-employed medical staff, Board members and others who provide services within our facilities," said Ekren.

To this point, Essentia has administered close to 200,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since late December 2020.