COVID Vaccine Policy Update
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Update: Frequently Asked Questions
What is being announced?
Based on the latest scientific data and research, recommendations by the CDC and guidance from our own team of experts, we have updated our COVID-19 vaccine requirements to allow employees in both patient-facing and non-patient facing roles to apply for and receive an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption. Previously, we were only allowing such exemptions for non-patient facing employees.
Why is this change being made now?
Over the past few months, we have been encouraged by a continued decline in the severity of COVID-19-related symptoms, hospitalizations and death, and we are hopeful that future variants will have even less impact on our daily lives. Our decision reflects the level of risk associated with current variants and our confidence in our ability to ease precautions while continuing to provide the highest quality of care and safest environment possible to everyone we serve. This decision was made based on the latest scientific data and research, recommendations by the CDC and guidance from our own team of experts.
Does this mean that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer required for employees?
No. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to require health care workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption. We will continue to comply with this requirement.
Why did Riverside initially not allow employees in patient-facing roles to get a strongly held belief exemption?
Given the high number of hospitalizations and deaths that were associated with early COVID-19 variants, we continue to believe that requiring our employees, especially those in patient-facing roles, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine allowed us to provide the highest quality of care and safest environment possible at a critical time in the pandemic.
What safety protocols will unvaccinated employees be required to follow?
Employees who receive an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption will be required to follow all state and federal regulations, including wearing a surgical mask while on Riverside Healthcare grounds. For testing protocols, please see the Riverside policy as requirements may change based on transmission rates.
Will employees who left because of the vaccine requirement be eligible for rehire?
Yes. We understood that this was a difficult decision for some of our employees, even those who chose to comply. We left the door open for our former colleagues to return if they met job qualifications and complied with our current policies. Any qualified applicant who complies with our policies, including our updated COVID-19 vaccine requirement is eligible for employment at Riverside.
Does leadership have any concerns about rehiring employees who made the decision to leave Riverside in response to its COVID-19 vaccine requirement?
No. This was a painful time for both those who made the decision to leave and those who continued working at Riverside. As the transition was made, we maintained a respectful and collegial environment, and we are confident we will continue to do so as we welcome back former colleagues who qualify for an open position and comply with our current policies.
Was this decision made to resolve litigation Riverside is facing regarding the COVID-19 vaccine mandate?
No. While we cannot discuss matters related to ongoing litigation, we can say that this decision was made based solely on the latest scientific data and research, recommendations by the CDC and guidance from our own team of experts.
Does Riverside Healthcare plan to contact former employees who left due to vaccine requirement to notify them of this change?
No. However, we look forward to welcoming any qualified applicant who will comply with our current policies, including our requirement to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or receive an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption.
Will Riverside revise its vaccine policy again in the future?
Riverside Healthcare will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases and trends. If a future COVID-19 variant appears to result in more serious illness or a higher number of hospitalizations and deaths, we may need to revise our COVID-19 vaccine policy accordingly.
A PDF version of the FAQs can be found here.
RHFC Healthcare Month Special in May!
Riverside Health Fitness Center is waiving the enrollment fee for new sign-ups for Riverside employees to celebrate Healthcare Month in May!
Make sure to take advantage of this awesome deal!
Call (815) 929-1200 for more information.
Upcoming Employee COVID-19 Booster Clinics in December
Riverside is hosting an employee COVID-19 booster clinic on Tuesday, December 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the back of the cafeteria. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson will all be offered as boosters.
There will also be two additional clinics in December – Tuesday, December 14, and Thursday, December 30, both from 3 to 6 p.m. in the back of the Riverside Medical Center Cafeteria.
Prescheduling your appointment is highly encouraged to streamline your experience. Walk-ins will be accepted. Schedule your appointment through your myRiverside MyChart account.
| Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Boosters at Riverside |
| Do I have to get the same type of booster (MODERNA, PFIZER, OR J&J) as I got for my initial dose(s)? You do not have to get the same booster as your initial dose(s). COVID-19 boosters are interchangeable. You are able to select which booster you wish to receive. From a time standpoint, when am I eligible to get my booster? For Pfizer and Moderna you can get a booster dose at 6 months after your second dose. For J&J -you are able to get a booster shot 2 months after your vaccine. How do I sign up for the booster clinic? You can schedule your booster in your myRiverside myChart account. By scheduling in MyChart you are able to complete the required consents prior to arriving at the booster clinic. This helps to streamline your experience. What if I don’t like something that is listed on the consent can I cross any part of the consent? No. The consent cannot be altered and will need to be signed as written. What if I can’t preschedule in myRiverside MyChart, can I just walk into the booster clinic? Yes. Although we are asking and strongly encouraging all staff to preschedule we understand that there may a circumstance where that is not possible. Prescheduled appointments help to streamline the process and will allow for people to efficiently move through the clinic. I have a medical condition that puts me into the category of immunocompromised, should I get the booster shot at the Riverside Clinic on 12/6, 12/14, or 12/30? If you are immunocompromised, we do not recommend getting the booster without first consulting your primary care physician. There are additional recommendations for individuals that fall into the category of immunocompromised. You may also email Chief Medical Officer, Keith A. Moss, MD, MA, FACP at [email protected] for guidance. |
Flu Vaccine – Deadline Extended to November 16
There has been a fantastic turnout for the 2021 Influenza Vaccine Program. Please remember to schedule in MyChart and complete E-Check In prior to arrival.
Here are some important facts to know in order to receive your annual Seasonal Flu Vaccine – DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 16, 2021
- There are 2 dates to select from to schedule or walk-in to receive your QUADRIVALENT Influenza Vaccine at the Main Hospital in the Chapel:
- November 15th 4-6pm Monday
- November 16th 5-7am Tuesday (for midnight staff)
- The Employee Health Office is located in Suite 504, which can be accessed by taking the B elevators only, to the 5th floor. The above vaccine clinics will be held in this location. Please follow the instructions below for scheduling an appointment in MyChart. Walk-ins for the above Employee Health Vaccine clinics are not recommended.
- The contraindications for receiving the QUADRIVALENT Seasonal Influenza Vaccine are as follows:
- People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins) should not get that vaccine.
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine should not get that flu vaccine again and might not be able to receive other influenza vaccines.
- If you have an allergy to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine – PLEASE CALL EMPLOYEE HEALTH TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO RECEIVE THE FLU-BLOCK VACCINE.
- If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS), talk to your doctor, as some people with a history of GBS should not get a flu vaccine.
- If you are not feeling well, please wait until your symptoms have improved and you are fever free.
- You may receive the Seasonal Flu Vaccine with no contraindications to a COVID Vaccine, even receiving them on the same day, as long as they are given in different anatomical locations.
- The Seasonal Influenza Vaccine medical and religious declination forms can be found in PolicyStat, under the Influenza Vaccination Program. Declination forms must be submitted to Employee Health by October 10th.
- The CDC’s 2021 Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Information Sheet can also be found as an attachment to the Influenza Vaccine Program policy in PolicyStat.
How to schedule your Seasonal Influenza Vaccine:
- Log into your MyChart app or website
- Select “Schedule an Appointment”
- Select “Employee Flu Vaccine (RHC Employees ONLY)”
- Complete the questions
- Enter your Employee ID number so your flu vaccine can be communicated to REACH and Employee Health
- Select your employment status (employee, volunteer, physician, etc). This is a requirement for reporting to federal and state authorities.
- Click Continue
- Select a day and time
- Verify your information
- You must complete the field which asks what you want addressed (you can just enter “vaccine” or “shot”).
- Confirm your appointment.
- Prior to arriving, Select your scheduled appointment and eCheck-In.
- Update any allergies.
- Review and sign the consent.
- Present for your vaccination.
If you have an egg allergy, and need the FLUBLOCK, do not schedule an appointment in MyChart. Instead, call Employee Health at (815)935-7067 or ext. 35500.
If your physician feels you should receive the High Dose Flu Vaccine, please call Employee Health at (815) 935-7067 or ext. 35500 to check on availability.
Employees in Riverside Medical Group locations:
Employees may receive their Seasonal Flu Vaccine by scheduling in MyChart for any of the above Flu Vaccine Clinic dates, or may receive their Flu Vaccine in their RMG location. Separate instructions will be emailed to those locations.
Employees in any Senior Life Community:
Employee may receive their Seasonal Flu Vaccine by scheduling in MyChart for any of the above Flu Vaccine Clinic dates, or may receive their Flu vaccine at Miller Rehab, Kankakee Assisted Living or Bourbonnais Assisted Living. Please watch for communication from your leaders.
All other Locations:
Please follow the above scheduling and vaccine clinic instructions. Additional remote or mobile clinics may be considered based on available resources. Please contact Jo Kilpatrick for information at [email protected]
