Vaccine requirements at Boundary Community Hospital

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary Community Hospital is moving to require COVID-19 vaccinations for employees, but said it has developed an exemption process for employees who need it.

“Boundary Community Hospital has found itself in an unfortunate circumstance; we are required to comply with the CMS-regulated COVID-19 vaccine mandate in order for us to be a Medicare-designated hospital,” said Preston Becker, chief executive officer, in a press release.

“Our purpose is to care for our community, and to do that, we have to comply with all CMS regulations,” he said.

As a hospital, BCH officials said they have to do what they can to fight the pandemic. For most that looks like a vaccine, but it doesn’t look that way for all.

“It is disheartening that we are being put in a position of implementing this vaccine mandate that could potentially threaten the jobs of employees who have carried us through this pandemic,” Becker said.

The hospital has developed an exemption process for employees that is in compliance with the mandate; there are two exemption methods, for medical purposes or sincerely held religious beliefs.

“We intend to support our employees through this process and continue to provide the high quality of care that we are known for,” Becker said.