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09/03/2021

Public Health Order Updated to Mandatory Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers

Public Health Order Updated to Mandatory Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers

On August 5, 2021, the California Public Health Order was updated from requiring testing for unvaccinated healthcare workers to mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers. The list of designated facilities includes ASCs and states all workers who provide services have their first dose of a one-dose regimen or their second dose of a two-dose regimen by September 30, 2021.

Workers may be exempt from the vaccination requirements only upon providing the operator of the facility a declination form, signed by the individual stating either of the following: (1) the worker is declining vaccination based on religious beliefs, or (2) the worker is excused from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine due to qualifying medical reasons. 

If the ASC governing body deems a worker to have met the requirements of an exemption the unvaccinated exempt worker must be tested weekly as outlined in the order and wear a surgical mask or higher-level respirator approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, at all times while in the facility.

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