RI Requiring COVID-19 Vaccines For Health Care Workers

PROVIDENCE, RI — All state health care workers, interns and volunteers will be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) said Wednesday.

State health officials said those in the health care field will need to get their final vaccine dose by Oct. 1

"The most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, is vaccination," said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott. "For the safety of our healthcare workers, patients, and for our healthcare system overall, today's announcement is a very important step."

The mandate applies to all RIDOH-licensed health care facilities, including those with direct patient contact and those who may not be involved in patient care. It also applies to individually licensed providers who use their license as part of their position in a health care facility.

Prior to Oct. 1st, unvaccinated health care workers are required to wear a face mask and be tested at least twice weekly. Health care workers that aren't fully vaccinated by the deadline will not be allowed to enter their workplace unless they provide proof of a medical exemption.

Health care workers who violate the mandate may face fines, suspensions and risk their work's medical license. Unvaccinated health care workers are also subject to disciplinary action by their employers.