Employees and volunteers with exemptions to flu vaccine must wear masks
Influenza has become prevalent in the Morgantown area. WVU Medicine has invoked a masking protocol for all employees and volunteers with exemptions to the flu vaccine. Effective immediately, exempted employees and volunteers who work at all WVU Medicine and UHA associated clinic locations must wear a mask. A list of exempted employees will be sent to each affected manager.
For exempted employees working in non-clinical departments, Employee Health can assist with obtaining the first box of masks. Please contact the Employee Health office at 304-598-4160. Additional boxes of masks will need to be ordered through Supply Chain.
Per WVUHS policy v.033s, “In an effort to prevent the transmission of influenza, healthcare workers (“HCWs”) who receive an approved medical or religious exception will be required to mask while influenza is prevalent in their local areas. The local Infection Control departments will monitor influenza surveillance data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the prevalence of influenza in the area. When influenza becomes prevalent, WVUHS will institute the masking requirement for HCWs who have an approved exception. Exempted HCWs will be required to wear a mask while working on any WVUHS owned or leased premises. Exempted HCWs who fail to comply with the masking requirement will be issued corrective action, up to and including termination.
"A new mask will be needed each shift and whenever the mask becomes moistened, soiled, torn, or otherwise contaminated. Masks worn by the HCW shall be changed immediately after exiting a patient isolation room. The local hospitals will provide each exempted HCW with masks to wear while influenza is prevalent in the area. Employees are not permitted to alter the masks from the original state produced by the manufacturer. Employees must only wear the masks provided to them by the hospital and must wear the mask appropriately to cover the mouth and nose.
"HCWs who work at multiple locations within the healthcare system will be required to follow the masking requirements of the location where they are currently working. It is the HCW’s responsibility to communicate with local department management that he/she has been exempted from the influenza vaccine, to inquire as to whether the masking requirement has been invoked for that location, and to comply with masking requirements.”
Please work with your Employee Relations Consultant in the event that an exempted employee refuses to comply with the masking protocol. Communication will be sent out and posted on CONNECT once the masking protocol has been lifted.