Most of Washington’s health care workers have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, with a week left before the state’s immunization deadline.
As of Monday morning, 88 percent of health care workers had showed proof of vaccination, the Washington State Hospital Association reported. The results include data from 94 percent of the state’s hospitals, collected after Oct. 4.
The Seattle Times reported the remaining 12 percent of workers include those who are partially vaccinated, have an approved exemption and accommodation, have applied or plan to apply for an exemption that hasn’t yet been reviewed, have not yet provided vaccination verification or are choosing not to be vaccinated.
Further information about the specific breakdown wasn’t immediately available, although the hospital association said it believes 2 percent to 5 percent of hospital staff could leave the workforce because of the mandate.
All health care workers must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or face “nondisciplinary dismissal” for failure to meet job requirements, Gov. Jay Inslee announced in August.
Final vaccination numbers won’t be available until early November, the hospital association said.
