Credit: WINK News. NCH Healthcare System announced Wednesday all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 within four weeks of their hire date when the new policy becomes effective Aug. 16. The health system says this policy is similar to its current flu vaccination policy, which allows for exemptions. According to the NCH new vaccination policy, “All current employees, contract staff and volunteers are encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccination within thirty 30 days of the effective date of the policy, unless otherwise exempted from the policy by an approved accommodation pursuant to the interactive process.” Similar to the flu vaccine, if employees have a formal and approved exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine, masks and social distancing will be required at all times while on NCH campuses. NCH says it will provide PTO to employees who: Experience side effects in the day(s) following receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine(s) Subsequently contracts the COVID-19 virus Has an unvaccinated child under 12 years old who contracts the COVID-19 virus Submit Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.