Brady Collins
In Oregon, health care workers were given until September 30 to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or face regular testing. This mandate was announced by Governor Kate Brown, who directed the Oregon Health Authority to issue the new rule, which took effect on September 30. This announcement was made in response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, with Oregon reporting 1,575 new cases and 379 hospitalizations, the highest daily count since January. While some health systems in the state had already implemented their own vaccination requirements, this mandate addressed the issue on a broader scale, impacting the approximately 266,000 licensed and unlicensed healthcare workers in Oregon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination mandate | Oregon health care workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing |
| Deadline | September 30 |
| Who does it apply to? | All personnel in healthcare settings who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials |
| Number of affected workers | 266,000 licensed and unlicensed healthcare workers |
| Hospitals with vaccine requirements | Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, PeaceHealth, Salem Health, Providence, and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
| Hospitals without mandates | None specified, but policies and exemptions vary between hospitals |
| Support for mandates | Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), Scott Palmer of ONA, and Governor Kate Brown |
| Opposition to mandates | Oregon law prohibits vaccine mandates as a condition of employment, and the Oregon Nurses Association has not supported hospital mandates |
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What You'll Learn
- Oregon health care workers must be vaccinated or face weekly testing
- The Oregon Nurses Association supports the governor's announcement
- Chiropractors and nursing assistants have some of the lowest vaccination rates
- Oregon law prohibits vaccine mandates as a condition of employment
- The Delta variant has changed everything, according to Gov. Brown
Oregon health care workers must be vaccinated or face weekly testing
Oregon health care workers have been given a deadline of September 30 to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or face weekly testing. The announcement was made by Oregon Governor Kate Brown, who directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to issue the new rule. This decision comes as the number of daily COVID-19 cases in Oregon approaches an all-time high, with 1,575 new cases and 379 hospitalizations reported on Tuesday, the highest daily count since January.
The new rule will apply to all personnel in healthcare settings who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials. This includes licensed and unlicensed healthcare workers, as well as support staff. According to employment data cited by the governor's office, there are about 266,000 such workers in the state. The rule will allow unvaccinated healthcare workers almost two months to get fully vaccinated before being subject to weekly testing.
Governor Brown has called this new rule a necessary safety measure to protect healthcare workers and their patients, especially with the emergence of the more contagious delta variant. In a statement, she said, "Severe illness from COVID-19 is now largely preventable, and vaccination is clearly our best defense. Vaccination and weekly testing ensure Oregonians can safely access health care and employees can go to work in an environment that maximizes health and safety measures for COVID-19."
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), which has encouraged vaccination but not supported hospital vaccine mandates, has expressed support for the governor's announcement. Scott Palmer of the ONA said, "This is a reasonable and sensible approach that respects the individual choices of healthcare workers while also protecting public health." However, it is important to note that Oregon law currently prohibits employers from mandating vaccines as a condition of employment, and the governor intends to address this issue in the February 2022 legislative session.
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The Oregon Nurses Association supports the governor's announcement
In Oregon, health care workers have until September 30 to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or face weekly testing. This rule was announced by Governor Kate Brown, who directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to issue the new rule, which took effect on September 30. The decision was made as the number of daily COVID-19 cases in Oregon approached an all-time high, with 1,575 new and presumptive cases and 379 hospitalizations reported on a single day in July 2025, the highest daily case count since January.
Governor Brown stated that the more contagious delta variant has "changed everything" and that the new rule is a necessary safety measure to protect healthcare workers and their patients. She emphasized that "severe illness from COVID-19 is now largely preventable, and vaccination is clearly our best defense." The rule applies to all personnel in healthcare settings who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials, impacting about 266,000 licensed and unlicensed healthcare workers in the state.
Prior to the governor's announcement, several local health systems, including Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Kaiser Permanente, and PeaceHealth, had already announced vaccine requirements for their employees. However, Oregon law prohibits vaccine mandates as a condition of employment, creating a complex situation. Despite this, the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) supported the governor's announcement. Scott Palmer of the ONA stated, "This is a reasonable and sensible approach that respects the individual choices of healthcare workers while also protecting public health. ONA believes that COVID-19 vaccinations are critical to protecting our members, our patients, our families, and our communities, and we urge all Oregonians who can get vaccinated to do so now."
The ONA's support for the governor's announcement is significant, given that they had not supported hospital vaccine mandates in the past. Instead, they had advocated for employer incentives and noted that registered nurses had a relatively high acceptance of the vaccine. However, more than a quarter of registered nurses still had not received their first dose, according to data. With the surge in COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the delta variant, the ONA's stance evolved to support the governor's mandate, recognizing the critical role of vaccinations in protecting the health and safety of healthcare workers, patients, and the community at large.
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Chiropractors and nursing assistants have some of the lowest vaccination rates
In Oregon, healthcare workers have until September 30 to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19; otherwise, they will be subjected to weekly testing. This rule applies to all personnel in healthcare settings who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials. However, Oregon law prohibits employers from requiring employees with a medical license to get vaccinated.
Despite this, some of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates among healthcare workers in Oregon are among chiropractors and nursing assistants. As of July 2, 2021, only 50% of chiropractors and 45% of chiropractic assistants had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, only 57% of certified nursing assistants and 40% of licensed practical nurses had received their first shot. These rates are significantly lower than those of other healthcare professions in the state, such as dentists (94%) and doctors (87%).
The low vaccination rates among chiropractors and nursing assistants are concerning, given their close contact with patients and the potential risk of transmitting COVID-19. In response, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expressed its desire for all healthcare workers to get vaccinated, stating that it wants everyone to make informed decisions about the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
The OHA data also reveals that vaccination rates vary across different healthcare professions, ages, and geographic locations within Oregon. For example, Washington County has the highest vaccination rate among healthcare workers (81%), while Eastern Oregon, specifically Harney County, has a much lower rate (43%).
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Oregon law prohibits vaccine mandates as a condition of employment
In Oregon, health care workers have until September 30 to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19; otherwise, they will be subjected to weekly testing. This rule applies to all personnel in healthcare settings who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials. Despite this, an Oregon law prohibits vaccine mandates as a condition of employment.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced that unvaccinated healthcare workers have almost two months to get fully vaccinated before they would be subject to weekly testing. This decision comes as the number of daily COVID-19 cases approaches Oregon's all-time high. The governor's office directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to issue the new rule, which took effect on September 30. The governor's statement said that the more contagious delta variant has "changed everything," and the new rule is a necessary safety measure to protect healthcare workers and their patients.
Several local health systems in Oregon had previously instituted their own vaccination requirements. These include Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Kaiser Permanente, and PeaceHealth. However, the governor's office acknowledged that state law currently prohibits employers from mandating vaccines for certain categories of workers, including healthcare workers. The governor intends to work with stakeholders and legislators to address this issue.
While some powerful political groups in Oregon do not support employer mandates, others encourage vaccination without enforcing it. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), for example, has encouraged vaccination but has not supported hospital vaccine mandates. They believe that the decision to get vaccinated should respect individual choices while also protecting public health. Similarly, the nursing home industry group has stated that mandates would be difficult to achieve due to state and federal laws. Instead, they focus on increasing vaccine confidence to protect the health of Oregonians.
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The Delta variant has changed everything, according to Gov. Brown
As of August 2021, Governor Kate Brown announced that COVID-19 vaccines are mandatory for all healthcare workers, providers, and volunteers in Oregon. This mandate covers all healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The decision was made in light of the surging Delta variant, which has caused a spike in cases and hospitalizations across the state. Gov. Brown has stated that the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant has changed the game, and urgent action is needed to protect the vulnerable and safeguard Oregon's healthcare system.
The mandate means that all healthcare workers must provide proof of vaccination or receive an approved exemption for medical or religious reasons. Those who are unvaccinated and do not qualify for an exemption will not be permitted to work in healthcare settings. This decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of patients, residents, and fellow healthcare workers, as well as maintaining a robust and healthy healthcare workforce.
Gov. Brown has emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the Delta variant has changed everything. The highly transmissible nature of the Delta variant has led to a rapid increase in cases, and this has put a strain on healthcare resources. The mandate is an attempt to get ahead of the virus and prevent Oregon's healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed, as has been seen in other states with low vaccination rates.
The governor has also highlighted the effectiveness of the vaccines, which provide excellent protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. By ensuring healthcare workers are vaccinated, the risk of transmission within healthcare settings is reduced, protecting both patients and staff. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and immunocompromised, who may be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes.
In addition to the vaccine mandate, Gov. Brown has also implemented other measures to tackle the Delta variant. These include encouraging mask-wearing in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status, and increasing access to testing and vaccination sites. The governor has also urged businesses to allow employees to work remotely if possible and to require masks and physical distancing in the workplace.
The situation is fluid, and Gov. Brown has committed to monitoring it closely, adjusting measures as necessary to protect Oregonians. The vaccine mandate for healthcare workers is a critical step in the state's ongoing battle against COVID-19 and its variants. It reflects the seriousness of the current surge and the need for swift and decisive action to protect public health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Oregon healthcare workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.
The rule was announced by Oregon Governor Kate Brown in September 2021, giving unvaccinated healthcare workers two months to get fully vaccinated before the weekly testing requirement took effect.
The rule was implemented as a necessary safety measure to protect healthcare workers and their patients from the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.
