The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation is requiring its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. YKHC applied the policy Aug. 5, citing in a statement the surge in cases from the delta variant and the state’s limited critical care infrastructure as reasons for the new policy.
Unvaccinated employees have 30 days to receive their first dose of the vaccine, and they must undergo twice-weekly testing until fully vaccinated. Employees are able to apply for exemptions to the shots. Exempted employees will be required to continue twice-weekly testing, along with additional mitigation measures.
YKHC Director of Communications Tiffany Zulkosky wrote in an email that employees without sufficient paid leave can receive additional time off for each shot to recover from any side effects.
The health corporation employs over 1,400 workers and says that “an overwhelming majority” are already vaccinated.
Other Alaska health care organizations requiring employee vaccinations against COVID-19 include Norton Sound Health Corporation, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Southcentral Foundation, Providence Hospital, and PeaceHealth Ketchikan Hospital.
