As a result of the federal government requiring COVID-19 vaccines for eligible staff at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, many Hoosiers are feeling unsettled — even willing to quit their jobs.
“I do know a lot of people that say that they’re definitely going to quit their jobs. So, it’s going to be a lot of empty spaces in these jobs… They don’t want to be forced to take a vaccine,” said a Fort Wayne healthcare worker. She asked to remain unnamed, in fear of potentially being penalized for speaking out against the mandate.
The emergency regulation that calls for “all eligible staff” at some 76,000 healthcare facilities participating in Medicare or Medicaid across the country to have at least 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 6, and be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4.
The healthcare worker added that “it’s not that I think [the vaccine is] going kill me or anything, but it’s the fact that you’re trying to force me to do something. That’s just unconstitutional. It doesn’t make sense.”
On WANE 15’s public Facebook post, many have expressed similar opinions: getting vaccinated should be a choice, why they’re not getting it, or that the vaccine shouldn’t result in healthcare workers losing their jobs. However, some commenters said they support it.
“100% legal and constitutional,” commented Cody Sharpe. “As a healthcare provider, you are taught to accept evidence based medicine, if you cannot accept that, then a field that relies heavily on science is not for you.”