27 Middlesex health workers quit over vaccination warrant as 99% compliance

Middlesex Health announced its COVID-19 vaccine mandate on August 5 for all workers in the health care system, as well as all medical staff, volunteers, students, suppliers and contractors. “As an organization, we believe it is the right thing to do,” President and CEO Vincent G. Capece Jr. said in the announcement.

The deadline to provide proof of vaccination was November 1, unless an employee was granted an exemption or deferral.

According to Director of Public Relations Amanda Falcone, out of 3,213 employees in total, 3,074 are vaccinated and 112 employees have benefited from exemptions or postponements. “We have a 99.16% compliance rate,” she said.

All exemptions were granted for medical and religious reasons. Limited time medical deferrals were allowed for specific issues, such as breastfeeding and pregnancy. “No other exceptions were made,” Falcone said.

Unlike other state health agencies, such as Yale New Haven Health, Hartford Health, and Nuvance Health, Middlesex Health did not therefore lay off any employees.

“To date, no one has been fired for non-compliance,” Falcone said. “Some employees chose to leave the organization because they had no intention of complying.”

A total of 27 employees chose to leave. It was not disclosed in which facilities these employees were employed.

The Middlesex Health Network operates several hospitals, cancer treatment centers, rehab clinics and other health facilities throughout the state, including the Middlesex Hospital at 28 Crescent Street in Middletown.

With staff now fully vaccinated, Capece has upheld the decision to issue a warrant.

“The decision to impose vaccination was made with the health and safety of our patients, staff and visitors in mind,” he said. “These vaccines are both safe and effective, and requiring employees to get vaccinated is the right thing to do. “