Today the parent company that runs Mercy Health System in West Michigan, Trinity Health based in Livonia, announced that they will immediately begin requiring that employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

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To date, the health system estimates nearly 75% of Trinity Health employees have already received at least one dose of the vaccine, and it now looks to close the gap with this new requirement.

The major West Michigan locations that are included in the requirements include St. Mary's Mercy Health Hospital, Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center, & Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences in Grand Rapids. The requirement will also include The Mercy Health Campus Hospital & Mercy Health Johnson Family Cancer Center in Muskegon.

The requirement will be for all employees along with colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities. Trinity Health's vaccine mandate is the second in the state after the Henry Ford Health System announced a similar requirement last week.

Dan Roth, M.D., Trinity Health executive vice president and chief clinical officer says that the requirement is part of the health system's mission in providing faith-based care:

The science has shown us that the COVID-19 vaccine is the single most effective tool in slowing, and even stopping, the spread of the virus. As a Catholic Health Ministry - even if we work remotely or do not regularly encounter patients - we view ourselves as caregivers, and it's important that we do everything we can to end the pandemic and save lives.

Employees at Trinity Health and its Health Ministries must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with most locations requiring they submit proof of vaccination by Sept. 21, 2021.

Exemptions are available for religious or health reasons and must be formally requested, documented and approved. Employees who do not meet criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will face termination of employment.

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