Arizona's largest hospital system reports high rate of employee vaccination compliance

Arizona’s largest hospital system is reporting very high rates of vaccination compliance after Monday’s deadline for health care workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to Cronkite News Digest, major health systems, including Banner Health, Valleywise, Sun, Dignity and HonorHealth, report more than 95% of workers have met the requirement. The mandates came as Arizona remains in the midst of a severe nursing shortage, and health officials fear the vaccine requirements could worsen the problem. But with the small rate of noncompliance, most health systems said their losses will not interrupt the current level of service. Banner Health was the first health system in Arizona to require the shots, announcing its mandate in July. With more than 62,000 employees, it’s one of the largest nonprofit hospital systems in the country and the largest private employer in Arizona.