Washington Hospitals Not Anticipating Major Shutdowns Due To State’s Vaccine Mandate

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Monday, October 4th is the final day medical workers in Washington State can receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and work on the October 18th deadline.

The Washington State Hospital Association’s Taya Briley says vaccination rates in the field have been steadily increasing, “Last week we did an initial round of collection of information from our rural hospitals. What that round is showing, is that while there will likely be some service reductions and closures, overall we believe that services will remain open.”

A second survey will be conducted later this week.

What she says she’s very concerned about right now is the lower vaccination rates in long-term care facilities,” In the past week, our hospitals have been reporting record levels of patients ready to discharge to long-term care facilities….That can’t get a spot. We are concerned that if these facilities can’t accept patients…then our hospitals can’t accept acute care.”

Washington hospitalizations have dropped by more than 100 people since last week.