The Department of Veterans Affairs is mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for 115,000 of its front-line healthcare workers, including dentists, officials announced July 26, as reported by The New York Times.
"I am doing this because it's the best way to keep our veterans safe, full stop," Denis McDonough, secretary of Veterans Affairs, said in a July 26 phone interview with Times. The department is the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S. and the first federal agency to require COVID-19 vaccinations for staff.
The mandate will apply to "the most patient-facing" workers, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants and some specialists, Mr. McDonough said. Starting July 28, those workers have eight weeks to get fully vaccinated or face penalties, including possible removal.
Workers can appeal vaccine mandates based on medical or religious reasons.