On Monday, Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The researchers also said they may have underestimated asymptomatic infections and the results may be confounded by certain factors like health behaviors and chronic illness among vaccinated subjects. No. Click here to download the document. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Who should faculty and staff contact for questions regarding updating vaccination status or submitting a request for an exemption from the vaccination requirement? You may also consult with Human Resources at inhro@lehigh.edu to determine whether your circumstances may be addressed under the Family and Medical Leave Act. We look forward to working with you for a safe and healthful workplace. People who believe they may have. Wear a mask in your home when youre unable to socially distance. St. Lukes, following a Sept. 25 deadline, reported that of its approximately 17,000 employees, 668 were granted medical or religious exemptions or temporary deferments and 155 quit. Example: staying home and out of the public. If you have any additional questions, call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about speaking to a provider virtually. Less than 1% chose to leave, Downs said. Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. LVHN was the last to release its vaccination statistics, giving unionized employees until Nov. 30. The final deadline passed as the calendar flipped to December. Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, eating utensils, cups and towels. Mar 18, 2020 at 8:00 am. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. 7. That's the message from Lehigh Valley Health Network, according to a news release. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Nearly all LVHN employees complied with COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61, Bryan Kohberger defense lawyers want gag order kept in Idaho killings case, Allentown School Board likely to vote on hiring Carol Birks as superintendent next week. Concentra has acquired LVHNs occupational health business inBethlehemandAllentown. Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Downs said. If I received a medical or religious exemption from Lehighs COVID Vaccination requirement, do I need to submit any additional documentation? Lukes infectious disease experts are following the science, and our policies are based on the science, Kennedy said. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Vaccines are a modern miracle and a triumph of modern medicine and unquestionably have proven to be extremely effective.. Any vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or under the WHO - Emergency Use Listing will satisfy this requirement. If you choose to submit your information via the Google Form, your information will be kept strictly confidential and will be submitted to Capital Blue Cross through their secure portal. Remdesivir Intravenous Therapy Now Offered Exclusively at New Infusion Site, Heart Complication (Myocarditis) Rare After COVID-19 Vaccination, We Are Family: Vaccine Clinic Brings Vaccines to Hazleton, COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters and Third Shots, COVID-positive patients must mask if able when staff are present in the room, Mask strongly encouragedwhen not eating or drinking, Permitted to visit LVHN employees and non-COVID-19 patients, Pet visits must be authorized by a physician, Follow guidelines for area(s) to be visited. There are limitations, though. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. (Cant see the Pa. case rate chart? Keep up with the latest info on corona in Munich (in German) Any individual, even if asymptomatic, who wishes to get tested can do so for a fee through Vault Health (the company we have contracted with for student arrival testing) or through a number of other providers. Yes. 426 0 obj <>stream Experiencing COVID-Like Symptoms Immediately notify your supervisor, department chair or PI, go home and self-isolate. I'm an international student and I am not eligible to get the booster in my home country. Details will be forthcoming. If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptoms and for those experiencing symptoms. The CDC recommends that all eligible people get a booster shot, even if theyve had COVID. If you dont feel well, stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.org. The Supreme Court ruling limits the power of the federal government to mandate that large employers take certain measures, such as requiring vaccinations, but does not preclude or limit employers from instituting such measures. Recently, members of the military sued the Department of Defense, Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health and Human Services, and a professor at the University of California-Irvine sued the university. LVHN will provide vaccinations to employees through employee health services and to all personnel through designated LVHN COVID-19 clinic locations. Given the waning effectiveness of vaccines over time, the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and mounting evidence that boosters provide additional protection against COVID, Lehigh is requiring the COVID booster as an extension of the universitys COVID vaccination requirement for all eligible students, faculty and staff who did not receive an approved medical or religious exemption. If you have questions, please call Employee Health Services at the number below. Some of the more common onsite services performed include: Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service(s). If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. We are the region's largest employer and the health care provider of choice for more people in the region. In August, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network made the shots a requirement, setting individual deadlines for employees to get vaccinated, get an exemption or quit. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. What happens if a faculty member gets sick and cannot teach? People who should wait to get vaccinated - If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma while sick with COVID-19, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. And Good Shepherd, which gave employees until Oct. 15, reported a 99% compliance rate among its workforce of about 1,200 people, including 71 who received exemptions or deferments. < Legislation has also been brought forward in the U.S. Senate to block Bidens mandate for large employers. However, the study has multiple limitations. St. You can obtain a test at many local health centers and pharmacies as well. endstream endobj 395 0 obj <>stream Vaccine providers may not require you to show your vaccination card to get a booster or may be able to provide you with separate documentation that you received a booster. Faculty with questions about medical exemptions or general information related to the process for submitting vaccination information should contact the Provosts Office at, and staff should contact Human Resources at, Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. In mid-November, following a slew of lawsuits a judge in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Bidens mandate for employees at large companies. Matching 403b and a defined pension program We are continuing with the strategy we initiated last summer to most safely provide a fully functioning campus through widespread vaccination. The Employee Health Nurse Care Manager will need to clear you for return to work and will facilitate appropriate contact tracing. Does Lehigh have COVID-19 related health services for staff and faculty? At-home antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, and, in many cases, are covered by insurance. Ensure a good airflow in your home, which can be done by just opening a window. She serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19 and facilitates care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or may test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. Its not the same as the medical or religious ones where there are laws in place that deal with that.. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19,immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. 4T@kR[4\P! December 8, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Lehigh Valley Health Network saw significant success from its vaccine mandate with the vast majority of employees choosing to get the vaccine, network officials. Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. What do I do if I suspect I have COVID-19? For more information on these requirements and for additional health guidance, please visit our Vaccination Resources Center. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, including those living off-campus, the student must self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days. . Email us provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. Will Lehigh's vaccine and booster requirements remain in place following the US Supreme Court's OSHA ruling? LVHN is currently operating in Level Yellow. What is the difference between isolation and quarantine? Can a professor decide to make their class remote if they are concerned about positive cases in their class? \@[gp7~Ijm]@.LHW@s;>\Cb+n2ift3tK[-gOGFJ*E=-5ZrrAxQ!5o95=-B ! .~ St. Lukes and LVHN still encouraging employees with natural immunity to get the vaccine to maximize their protection against the viral infection. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Is the University still looking at air changes and ventilation? For faculty and staff, there are other forms of vaccination proof that may also be used for employer documentation. See the Pennsylvania Department of Health siteor Lehigh's HWC site for lists of local testing resources. If the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. "Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19," said LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs. prd|^DLL{!"2Jl[>!(/$+Jf|vP]3t"fHs Cu TowZ;,HKZ*2+aCvOPH;!cWp0iCiAfJiqbU,9\2"+$@K<8 d#SqZ7'!OE%.^~'eQ5% v7Xa;gc^qomH}ZvoW!62O)7O3]pikx=^H[02JJzCss{hw]y@)Qs^ |m x Good Shepherd officials reported 93% of employees had been vaccinated and the remaining employees received exemptions, had appointments planned or were on leave. Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com. The health network. hUmOP+fq& -VMU2 Pros occasional free lunches Cons leadership - it all flows from there Was this review helpful? Isolation:separates those who are sick with COVID-19 from those who do not have it to prevent the spread of the virus. 6DGamY'N{o)Z{aG>;-p~ t{@m 2R{8yrT[m'BNfk34Yn?gej &e"FL8O)x{Ko yIWk.x,Jj!iWE@`. Contact us For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at carisa.vetrano@lvhn.org. Talk to your healthcare professional if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The federal COVID-19 response excludes up to 106 million workers from paid leave protections The end result is that a legislative package with the stated intent of protecting the physical and. There are no laws governing this kind of exemption like there are for medical or religious exemptions, he said. Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. Without speaking specifically about St. Lukes policy, Dr. John Zurlo, chief of infectious disease at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said there is no reason for anyone to defer getting vaccinated, even if they have natural immunity. You may also consult with Human Resources at. Alternatively, if the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. '2u&"2U(g/CHtO )D1nq1dY,{,5((ADE{'9K2Y`z;p'YNwC|Wh8 I)yPj$C"gx_rTe6399Pa+3|Ypt5ZWM14'KTVQJ!B (F(Mja_EGgLteFQF,$8~~] HveCexUzQ&!P3?Vm+kEfTs^-{/mbXL$eL'2. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Disinfection will be required in high risk/high contact areas like eatery entrances, the health center and testing areas. If you or your child have a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults or children (MIS-A or MIS-C), consider delaying vaccination until you have recovered from being sick and for 90 days after the date of diagnosis of MIS-A or MIS-C.. The . Please allow a few weeks before this process is complete. What are the immediate side effects? The four levels address topics such as wearing a mask in our facilities, eating in our cafeterias, attending community meetings and more. If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptomsand for those experiencing symptoms. Out of nearly 40,000 workers across all three networks, only a few hundred chose to resign. Pain at the injection site, headache, muscle aches, low-grade fever and nausea are common. 0 hb```)ry ae`aq%TnPm[=``j`j`@S4Bb "EL0+0ez7F|OggfFu$f -"H mYg* ]A/ Send a secure message to the Health and Wellness Center through the Patient Portal and they will be able to log your individual situation and advise on any further questions about your vaccination/booster schedule. About URMC. St. Lukes and LVHN announced Aug. 9 that they were implementing a vaccine mandate for all employees, as well as everyone who conducts business in those health care organizations. Low-cost health insurance for employees CME reimbursement and time outside of normal PTO to take classes, attend conferences etc. Please also note that while widespread vaccination will provide for substantive protection from the virus, individuals may choose to wear masks or practice other health and safety protocols in various settings. We have prepared guidance on what to do if you are feeling sick and suspect you have COVID-19. Under St. Lukes and LVHNs new policies, individuals who were infected with COVID-19 and recovered can defer their shots for up to 12 months from the date tested positive. What steps should I take? St. Lukes and Good Shepherds vaccine mandates had earlier deadlines than LVHN and those networks also reported success from their mandates. ML _f0Ie6EIopY}fCul*( Medical and Allied Health Staff Code of Behavior Medical Staff Bylaws ( Please log into the LVHN Employee Network to view) Professional Practice Evaluation Policy and Procedure Medical Staff Information: Medical Staff Citizenship Requirements Allied Health Professional Information: Advanced Practice Clinicians Charter GO: The Campaign for LehighBe part of the most ambitious fundraising and engagement effort in Lehigh's history. "Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team," said Brian A. Nester, DO,. St. Lukes is based in the Bethlehem area. "It's not FDA-approved, it's. Your provider will advise you about COVID-19 testing and quarantining during your virtual visit. Faculty or staff members with symptoms should stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. As an employer, Lehigh has the ability to implement this requirement for the health and safety of its community, and vaccination and boosters remain critical in supporting these efforts. LVHN also now accepts walk-ins at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic-Northampton Crossings located at 3768 Easton Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township in Northampton County. Experts continue to study the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, but early research has not shown cause for concern. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Our partnership includes anLVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager,Christine WolfeRN,who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. But not all infectious disease experts agree on this. However, if they choose to share this with you, treat this as confidential information and follow up with Christine Wolfeor Human Resources to make sure the information and all services are being extended. We recognize this is a difficult time for faculty, staff and families. For minor pains, illnesses or allergies, get answers any time of the day or night with an ExpressCARE Video Visit. Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. For those who are tested at an alternate location, be aware that if you are not taking a rapid test, your results may take several days to be processed. Normal cleaning processes will resume. So when LVHN sent an email to employees about a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine, Miller jumped at the opportunity to help end the pandemic, signing up half an hour later. We appreciate your patience. 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org . Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants. The HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class. Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services can be found here. "Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team," said a joint statement. Any faculty or staff member who has been on campus or in close proximity to other Lehigh community members . The HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class. To better support the health and safety of Lehigh faculty and staff as we return to campus, the University has partnered with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) for occupational health services and medical consultation for planning purposes. I am vaccinated but am experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. Supervisors and department chairs, staff and faculty are not required to divulge that the reason for their absence is due to a COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. Virtually all in-clinic services are available to be scheduled and performed onsite with the proper conditions. A Pennsylvania hospital chain announces it will not require employees who had COVID-19 to get vaccinated for 12 months after their positive tests. St. Lukes University Health Network, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network have jointly announced they will require all employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a news release. Faculty with questions about medical exemptions or general information related to the process for submitting vaccination information should contact the Provosts Office at provost@lehigh.edu and staff should contact Human Resources at inhro@lehigh.edu. 412 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[389 38 428 1]/Info 388 0 R/Length 116/Prev 381408/Root 390 0 R/Size 429/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com. While we have had good responses so far, we will send the information to Capital Blue Cross with a request to review the claim for accuracy, but we cannot guarantee that the claim will be reprocessed and paid. 389 0 obj <> endobj If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, whether you are unvaccinated or vaccinated--follow the establishedprotocols, including contacting your medical provider to be tested, staying home andaway from others to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus, and following any isolation protocols should you test positive for COVID. .block-reference .header { padding-top: 40px; }. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19, immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. Lehigh Valley Health Network will officially close its five COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Whitehall, Easton, Hazleton, Pottsville and East Stroudsburg (as well as the network's mobile vaccination . HUMo0Wh jv E6i0v7Vlm]GJ8a.QlS||@,8%CYw@hZD=Zor J!F#bA8 \gnhC# For example, because someone is choosing to wear a mask (beyond any university requirements), complete the symptom checker, or complete other protocols is not necessarily indicative of their vaccination status. Read more on the CDC website. Vaccines have been available to health professionals for about a year. Students with an approved exemption will be required to comply with the university's COVID-19 surveillance testing program and other preventive measures including, but not limited to, masking, social distancing and isolation/quarantine protocols, as determined by the university. However, the university didnt enter a settlement with Zywicki and the medical exemption wasnt granted on the basis of his prior COVID-19 infection, according to Higher Ed Dive. Click here.). The nurse case manager will facilitate care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or may test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. We welcome your questions, ideas and suggestions. The clinic is open 8 . 306 S New St, Suite 437, Bethlehem, PA 18015, Expand menu for COVID-19 Guidance for Staff and Faculty, Expand menu for Flexible Spending Accounts, Expand menu for Retirement And Financial Security, Expand menu for Basic And Supplemental Life Insurance, Expand menu for Education Benefits For Faculty and Staff, Expand menu for Tuition Benefits For Spouses/Partners, Expand menu for Tuition Benefits For Dependent Children, Expand menu for Ancillary Benefits And Services, Expand menu for Extended Health Care Benefits, Expand menu for Awards For Exceptional Performance And Contributions, Expand menu for Staff Fully Remote Policy, Expand menu for Market Referenced Job Evaluation Process, Expand menu for Disability Accommodation For Faculty and Staff, Expand menu for Using The Page Up Talent Management Portal, Expand menu for Position Description User Guides, Expand menu for Protection of Minors Policy Compliance, Expand menu for Protection of Minors Committee, To better support the health and safety of Lehigh faculty and staff as we return to campus, the University has partnered with. What should I do? Vision exams Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service (s). Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services. This benefit is available to all Lehigh staff and faculty, regardless of whether they participate in the University's medical insurance plans. The hotline is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30. Faculty and Staff Who Test Positive for COVID-19, Flu and Shingles Vaccine Benefits for Lehigh Medical Plan Participants, Expanding Access To Medical Insurance - The Employer Mandate, Indexed Dollar Figures for Employee Benefit Plans, LVAIC Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Program, Lehigh Undergraduate Spouse/Partner Tuition Benefits, Lehigh Graduate Spouse/Partner Tuition Benefits, LVAIC Spouse/Partner Tuition Exchange Benefit, Lehigh Undergraduate Dependent Tuition Benefit, Lehigh Graduate Dependent Tuition Benefit, ConsumerMedical Expert Medical Opinion Service, Awards For Exceptional Performance And Contributions, Food Service, Housekeeping, and Landscaping Employment Opportunities, Cash for Colleagues Employee Referral Program, Completing the Fully Remote Workplace Arrangement Request, Disability Accommodation For Faculty and Staff, Using The Page Up Talent Management Portal, Using Booking and Events to Schedule Interviews, Accessing and Registering for Learning Opportunities, Canceling or Changing a Workshop Registration, Guide for Self-Reported Training in PageUp, Smoking Cessation Resources for Benefits Eligible Employees, Lehigh University Protection of Minors Policy, Information for Directors of Programs Involving Minors, Annual Security & Annual Fire Safety Report, COVID-19 Health Services from LVHN for Staff and Faculty.