The American Medical Association, American Nurses Association and dozens of other groups representing medical professionals on Monday called for COVID-19 vaccines to be mandatory for healthcare workers, citing the rise of the Delta variant.
In a joint statement, groups including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Nursing, American College of Surgeons and dozens of others urged healthcare employers to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for workers.
"This is the logical fulfillment of the ethical commitment of all healthcare workers to put patients as well as residents of long-term care facilities first and take all steps necessary to ensure their health and well-being," reads the letter, which was first reported by The Washington Post.
The letter follows a concerning surge of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. and around the world, mostly among people who aren't vaccinated.
Most of those cases have been linked to the Delta variant, which is more contagious than the previous strains, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, only 49% of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. The resistance to vaccines led the medical organizations on Monday to call for mandates, citing the risk unvaccinated healthcare workers bring to vulnerable populations including people who are immunocompromised.
"Unfortunately, many healthcare workers and long-term care personnel remain unvaccinated," the letter states. "As we move towards full FDA approval of the currently available vaccines, all healthcare workers should get vaccinated for their own health, and to protect their colleagues, families, residents of long-term care facilities and patients."
About 1 in 4 hospital workers who have direct contact with patients hadn't received a single dose of a vaccine by the end of May, according to an analysis of HHS data by WebMD and Medscape Medical News.
Only about 59% of staff in nursing homes and long-term care facilities are fully vaccinated, according to CMS.
Hospitals that have mandated vaccinations have high rates. Houston Methodist, one of the first systems to require workers get vaccinated, has a 99% vaccination rate.
Other systems have announced mandates in recent weeks, including Atrium Health and University of Chicago Medicine.
"Existing COVID-19 vaccine mandates have proven effective," the letter reads. "Simultaneously, we recognize the historical mistrust of healthcare institutions, including among many in our own healthcare workforce. We must continue to address workers' concerns, engage with marginalized populations, and work with trusted messengers to improve vaccine acceptance."
Polls show people have a variety of reasons for choosing not to get vaccinated, including thinking the vaccines are too new or they are worried about potential side effects. Others cite a distrust of the government or a belief that they don't need to be vaccinated. Misinformation and conspiracy theories spreading online have played a role, too, leading the surgeon general to call it a "serious threat to public health."
