December 10th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

After learning that UPMC does not plan to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for its employees, WCBC asked for clarification about the reasons for that decision. Dr. Graham Snyder, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology at UPMC, issued the following statement:

"We are not currently planning to make any COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees or our Senior Community residents. Unlike the flu vaccine – for which we have a universal vaccination policy because we have a wealth of data showing its safety and efficacy – we don’t have full safety and efficacy data for COVID-19 vaccine, much less a body of literature on its impact in reducing transmission in healthcare settings. That said, if the vaccine is deemed safe and effective, I hope that everyone who is eligible to receive it, will get it. I plan to."