Nurse expresses concern over Houston Methodist’s mandatory vaccine policy for employees

BAYTOWN, Texas A nurse for more than six years in Houston Methodist Baytown, who did not want to be identified, said she was not in line with the hospital’s policy of requiring all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

“A lot of people are nervous. They feel it is too soon to make it mandatory. It must be a choice. We’re just not comfortable. “If we are not comfortable with this, do not force us to do it,” said the nurse.

In fact, the nurse has drafted a petition supporting about 100 signatures against the new policy that could mean termination if employees do not comply on June 7, unless they have exemption for religious or medical reasons.

“We do not want to be threatened and bullied now. We want more research. We want more time. We want it to be FDA approved. ”

“It’s about protecting our patients, and we have a sacred obligation to protect our patients,” said Marc Boom MD, president and CEO of Houston Methodist.

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Boom says about 84% of their nearly 26,000 employees have been vaccinated. He added at the end of the day, the policy is about keeping people safe.

“COVID is a very dangerous disease for our employees, for their colleagues and especially for our patients, and we owe it to our patients to protect them,” said Boom.

“The EEOC is good at requiring this because it is in the best interests of the community,” said attorney Sophia George.

But can a business require you to be vaccinated specifically if the FDA has only granted permission for emergency use?

George legally said they can.

“Just because it has not yet been approved by the FDA does not mean it is outside the employer’s scope to oblige,” George said.