Henry Ford Health System Says 99% of Workforce Vaccine Compliant

(October 5, 2021 6:16 PM) Henry Ford Health System reported Tuesday that 99 percent of its workforce is compliant with its COVID-19 vaccination requirement. The figure means team members are either fully vaccinated, on the way to completing a two-dose regimen or received an approved medical or religious exemption.

“This is a true testament to Team HFHS and how much our team cares about your health, the community’s health, their own health and the health of their teammates,” said Bob Riney, President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, during a briefing with reporters. “We’re really grateful for their dedication.”

On June 29, Henry Ford became the first health system in Michigan to announce a vaccine requirement for its workforce. At the time of the announcement, the workforce vaccination rate was 68%. The requirement took effect Sept. 10.

Key compliance numbers released Thursday:

• More than 30,000 team members are fully vaccinated
• About 1,900 team members, or 6 percent of the workforce, received an approved medical or religious exemption. The number of exemptions is expected to wane should the COVID-19 vaccine become part of regular vaccination maintenance, like the flu vaccine
• About 400 team members, or about 1 percent of the workforce, have voluntarily resigned because of the requirement. Should these team members “have a change of heart and become vaccinated” they can apply for a job at Henry Ford. “We are doing all we can to keep those doors open,” Riney said. “Whatever their choice, we wish them the very best and appreciate the years of service they provided our community and organization.”

Riney said new hires are already offsetting those team members who resigned, adding that Henry Ford is actively recruiting and hiring as part of an aggressive short-term and long-term strategy. Hiring fairs are planned for October 7 and October 12 at multiple Henry Ford locations.

Riney commended the 99 percent vaccine compliance as a “huge moment of pride for us.” He said team members’ feedback was “overwhelmingly” in support of the requirement.

“We want to lead, and we know that vaccinations are the way for us to get out of this pandemic,” Riney said. “Vaccinations are the key. If we sound like a broken record, we are. We know what it will take to continue to beat this pandemic and we’re showing our leadership in doing so.”

The heartened news about vaccinations came amid the sobering news that October marked the 19th month of the pandemic and that 144 patients were hospitalized for COVID across the health system. On this day one year ago, there were 65 hospitalizations and an emerging sense of optimism that better days were ahead.

Despite the availability of vaccine, infections and hospitalizations continue to fuel the pandemic. The vast majority of those hospitalized are unvaccinated.

“We were really hoping we’d be in a better position than we are today,” said Adnan Munkarah, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer. “The numbers continue to be worrisome, both in Michigan and nationally.”

Dr. Munkarah said vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent and protect against COVID. The health system is now directing patients to schedule a vaccine appointment at one of its primary care locations using their MyChart account. Those who do not have a MyChart account can create one at www.henryford.com.

Under recommendations from the CDC, Henry Ford began offering the Pfizer third-dose booster dose to team members this week through its Employee Health clinics. A process is being finalized for patients who are eligible to receive the Pfizer booster at Henry Ford.

Because of the wide availability of COVID vaccine and COVID booster shots, Dr. Munkarah advised people to get theirs “where it’s most convenient.”

He noted a positive trend in increased volume of cases in cardiology, general medicine and pulmonary medicine, and that 15 beds have re-opened (from the 120 that were temporarily closed two weeks ago) using additional staffing. The health system’s 96 percent bed capacity reflected COVID and non-COVID patients. A full spectrum of services continues to operate across all five of its acute-care hospitals.

“All hospitals routinely take beds offline as part of their regular management operations,” Dr. Munkarah said.

Dr. Munkarah said this week’s news about Merck’s COVID pill, which was shown in a clinical trial to reduce hospitalization and death by 50 percent, provided a hopeful sign for another viable treatment option. However, he emphasized there was no substitute for vaccination. “Vaccination, over and over again, has shown that it is the solution (out of the pandemic),” he said.