National Church Residences Requires Vaccinations for All Staff

COLUMBUS, Ohio ¬– Across the nation, the recent increase in COVID-19 infections due to the delta variant shows that the battle against this pandemic is far from over. Medical professionals warn that the delta variant is highly contagious, increases the risk of hospitalization and is more resistant to current vaccines. This threat has compelled National Church Residences to add another measure intended to best protect all residents, clients, staff and their families. Effective October 1, 2021, National Church Residences will require that all staff members be fully vaccinated.

“As more dangerous variants emerge and quickly spread, we must take extra precautions to protect our most vulnerable populations, “ said Dr. John Weigand, chief medical officer at National Church Residences. “Mask wearing, handwashing and social distancing efforts aren’t enough to protect us from delta. Our best defense is to continue wearing masks in public combined with getting vaccinated in order to suppress the transmission of this deadly virus.”

All three vaccines have proven safe and effective at preventing serious illness, but this new variant is a threat to vaccinated individuals and is especially dangerous to seniors and those who are unvaccinated.

“All of our residents and staff members deserve to live and work in a safe and healthy environment,” said President and CEO, Mark Ricketts. “Therefore, we have made the decision that all National Church Residences’ employees, volunteers and contract staff will be required to be fully vaccinated.”

There will be a process available to request certain exceptions. In addition, National Church Residences has reinstated masking requirements for all persons inside the organization’s communities and office buildings.

National Church Residences has put in place extensive preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The organization has implemented increased levels of precautionary measures, including visitor restrictions, routine screenings, intensified sanitation cleanings and heightened use of personal protective equipment, as well as on-site vaccine clinics for staff and residents. National Church Residences has not only been diligent about complying with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in addition to local health agencies, but its measures often have exceeded those recommendations.

About National Church Residences
National Church Residences serves more than 42,000 seniors through its array of housing and health care services. The not-for-profit organization is driven by a vision of advancing better living for all seniors, enabling them to remain home for life. With 340 communities in 25 states, it is the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of affordable senior housing and the largest manager of service coordinators. The organization also offers residential senior communities, home and community-based services, as well as permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless and disabled. For more information, visit us at NationalChurchResidences.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.