Hospital Provides Employees $500 to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

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Houston Methodist Hospital is providing $500 to workers as a “thanks” bonus for his or her onerous work throughout the pandemic — and for taking each doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, in accordance with CBS Information.

The “Hope Bonus” will exit in March, Marc Growth, MD, president and CEO of the hospital system, wrote in an e-mail to employees final week.

“Eligibility standards will embrace getting a COVID-19 vaccination, fulfilling our obligation as well being care employees to guide the neighborhood,” he wrote.

The hospital additionally gave workers $500 bonuses about 6 weeks in the past for working throughout the pandemic, and the upcoming bonus is supposed to point out further gratitude. The Houston space has been a coronavirus scorching spot, with greater than 249,000 instances and almost 2,700 deaths. Based on TV station KHOU 11, the COVID-19 hospitalization ranges by the tip of subsequent week are anticipated to surpass the July surge, which was the worst month of the pandemic in Houston.

“This bonus is a thanks to your perseverance all through a troublesome 2020 in addition to one thing to stay up for, to supply hope, throughout the subsequent couple of difficult months,” Growth wrote.

Houston Methodist started giving COVID-19 vaccines to workers on Dec. 15. About 55% of the 26,000 workers have acquired the primary dose of the vaccine, and 1000’s extra have scheduled appointments, in accordance with CNN. The well being system is not requiring vaccination for the time being however “might be finally” for many employees, Growth wrote.

“There’s a small minority of employees who I’ve spoken to on the ground who’re reluctant,” Roberta Schwartz, PhD, government vice chairman and chief innovation officer for the well being system, advised CBS.

Some employees are watching how others deal with the vaccine, she mentioned. Others have common considerations about vaccines, and some are frightened in regards to the COVID-19 vaccine particularly. On the identical time, the general public curiosity within the vaccine appears sturdy, she mentioned.

“Our telephones are inundated with individuals who need the vaccine. It is onerous for us to really feel the reluctance within the common society as we’re solely listening to from individuals who need it,” she mentioned. “Even our IT desk acquired 1,500 telephone calls from folks wanting this vaccine.”

Sources:

CBS Information: “Houston hospital gives employees $500 to get COVID-19 vaccine.”

KHOU 11: “Houston Methodist says it expects to surpass July COVID-19 hospitalization ranges quickly.”

CNN: “Houston hospital system is providing its workers a $500 bonus in the event that they get Covid-19 vaccine.”