On Aug. 25, Oregon Secretary of State posted the new vaccination rules for health care and K–12 employees in Oregon. Here’s what you need to know.
COVID-19 vaccination requirement for healthcare providers and healthcare staff in healthcare settings
In response to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, Governor Brown and OHA officials determined that a vaccination requirement would be necessary for health care providers and health care staff in health care settings.
On or before Oct. 18, all health care providers and staff must:
- Be fully vaccinated and
- Provide their employer, contractor or responsible party with proof of vaccination.
The rule does not apply to parents, family members, guardians or foster parents residing in the home and providing care to a child or foster child in the home.
If health care providers and staff fail to meet the above requirements, they will not be allowed to “work, learn, study, assist, observe, or volunteer in a healthcare setting,” unless they have provided documentation of a medical or religious exception.
“Medical exceptions” are defined as physical or mental impairment that prevent an individual from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. These types of exceptions must be documented on an official OHA form and signed by a medical provider.
“Religious exceptions” are defined as sincerely held religious belief that prevent an individual from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. These types of exceptions must also be documented on an official OHA form and include a statement describing the way in which the vaccination requirement conflicts with the religious observance, practice or belief of the individual.
An employer of healthcare providers or healthcare staff, a contractor, or a responsible party may not employ, contract with or accept the volunteer services of individuals who do not meet these requirements.
You can read the full rule here.
COVID-19 vaccination requirements for teachers, school staff and school-based programs staff and volunteers
To help control the spread of COVID-19 and to protect students, teachers, school staff and volunteers, Governor Brown also announced a vaccine requirement for teachers and school staff.
By Oct. 18, all K–12 teachers, school staff and volunteers must:
- Be fully vaccinated and
- Provide proof of vaccination to their school, employer or contractor.
The rule does not apply to short-term visitors, individuals making deliveries or school board members unless they are also volunteering in a school.
If school staff and volunteers fail to meet these requirements, they will not be allowed to “teach, work, learn, study, assist, observe or volunteer” at a school or school-based program unless they have provided documentation of a medical or religious exception.
“Medical exceptions” are defined as physical or mental impairment that prevent an individual from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. These types of exceptions must be documented on an official OHA form and signed by a medical provider.
“Religious exceptions” are defined as sincerely held religious belief that prevent an individual from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. These types of exceptions must also be documented on an official OHA form and include a statement describing the way in which the vaccination requirement conflicts with the religious observance, practice or belief of the individual.
Schools and school-based programs may not employ, contract with or accept the volunteer services of any individuals that do not meet these requirements.
You can read the full rule here.