BUCYRUS—Avita employees received notice last week that they must get the Covid vaccine or lose their employment with the health care provider servicing Crawford and Richland Counties.

In October, Chris Adler, Emergency Preparedness Director for Avita Healthcare, indicated to Crawford County Now that Avita stands by their employee’s right to choose whether or not to take the vaccine.

“Avita Health System is not mandating their employees to be vaccinated and doesn’t see that happening unless it becomes a federal mandate. We are pro-choice regarding the vaccine, but we are anti mandatory. We promote patient care. To make the vaccine mandatory could compromise that care.” Adler said.

Avita kept its promise to employees until last week when they received notice from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid that the government will no longer pay for services provided to Medicare and Medicaid recipients unless their employees are vaccinated. The CMS mandate includes all healthcare staff, employees, Associated Physicians Practices with privileges that provide on-site services, students, volunteers, reps, vendors, workers, and contractors.

Avita Employees will have to receive their first vaccine by December 5 and be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022.

Avita employees held a peaceful protest on Saturday at the square in Mansfield. Many supporters drove by to show their support and solidarity with employees.

Under the protection of anonymity, Employees shared their disappointment in the federal mandate but said Avita was offering support to their employees by protecting their earned time off and retirement benefits.

As one employee expressed, “It’s sad to go from last year’s heroes to this year’s villains. Many employees made themselves available without regard to their personal safety for patient care, which is our oath.”

It is unclear how this will affect patient care and what staffing issues Avita will face as the mandate becomes a reality.

Crawford County Now will continue to follow this developing story.