Connecticut’s largest union for nursing home workers is urging the state to delay its vaccine mandate deadline in order to give it and providers more time to educate and start inoculating employees before handing down large fines.
SEIU 1199 spokesman Pedro Zayas on Monday confirmed that the organization is seeking a 30-day delay to the mandate announced by Gov. Ned Lamont (D) last week. The order calls on long-term care employees and vendors to get at least one dose of a vaccine by Sept. 7, or their communities could face $20,000 per day in civil penalties.
“We think that 30 days will allow enough time for all employers to get onboard and run their program,” Zayas told local media. He added that providers could face additional staffing shortages if the deadline isn’t extended.
“We feel we could use that time, along with the employers, to educate workers who are on the fence or who need some other kinds of support,” he said.
The Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities, which along with LeadingAge Connecticut, said they support Lamont’s rule as a means to get widespread acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in healthcare.
CAHCF President and CEO Matt Barrent told local media Monday the association would be reluctant to support the union’s delay request.
“There is no question that the potential for the vaccine mandate to exacerbate existing staff shortages has been a concern,” Barrett said. “But the benefits of vaccinating nursing home staff are so well-documented and the data is so clear that the incidence of serious illness will be reduced, that the industry feels strongly that we have to head in this direction.”
The governor has not revealed if he’s open to extending the deadline.
