Hours: 24/7 Not seeing an appointment time that works for you? Our partnership includes an LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager, Christine Wolfe RN, who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. Its not the same as the medical or religious ones where there are laws in place that deal with that.. LVHNs deadline for non-union employees to comply with the mandate was Nov. 12 and the deadline for union employees at LVH-Hazelton, LVH-Pocono and LVH-Schuylkill was Nov. 30. COVID-19 Help Center As your health partner, LVHN provides all the COVID-19 information you need in one place. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. LVHN was the last to. Call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about virtual care options. Do I need to get a booster even if I am fully vaccinated and/or tested positive for COVID? For faculty and staff, there are other forms of vaccination proof that may also be used for employer documentation. LVHN also now accepts walk-ins at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic-Northampton Crossings located at 3768 Easton Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township in Northampton County. No. Phone: 610 -402-1880 Fax: 610-402-1203 But not all infectious disease experts agree on this. endstream endobj startxref Will Lehigh's vaccine and booster requirements remain in place following the US Supreme Court's OSHA ruling? Details will be forthcoming. Boosters are a necessary component of our health and safety protocols to support a successful semester on campus, including in-person instruction and activities. If you have questions, please call Employee Health Services at the number below. Where can I find more information about boosters? Natural immunity has come up in lawsuits across the nation, with some arguing that they shouldnt have to get the vaccine because they already had COVID-19. Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, said LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs. 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.org. 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org . If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Caitlin Leidy at crl215@lehigh.edu or Patricia Florkowski at pjg209@lehigh.edu. On Wednesday, Pfizer said that the initial two shots of its vaccine appear significantly less effective against omicron but that a booster dose may offer important protection. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). You should take an at-home COVID antigen test or contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice. Matching 403b and a defined pension program For faculty and staff, there are other forms of vaccination proof that may also be used for employer documentation. P.C. Some of the more common onsite services performed include: Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service(s). LVHNs announced its mandate alongside St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network on Aug. 9. hbbd```b`` ),rD"`,R Available research appears to show that those who have natural immunity and get their shots are better off than those who rely on natural immunity alone. What are the immediate side effects? . Visit the Vaccination Resources page on the Coronavirus Information Center for more information about Lehigh's policies. 0 Noncompliance with the booster requirement for students will result in. Lehigh medical benefits include behavioral health coverage. If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. If addressing the concern directly is not an option, or if you are not satisfied with the response you receive or the behavior doesnt stop, you may report the concern by completing this form athttp://lehigh.edu/go/covidreporting. Does Lehigh have COVID-19 related health services for staff and faculty? Example: restricting and isolating to a room separated from others in the household. Remember that if you receive a positive test result from testing conducted outside of the HWC,you must report your result by uploading it to thePatient Portal. /@[ O At-home antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, and, in many cases, are covered by insurance. Inpatient Physiatry. The . In mid-November, following a slew of lawsuits a judge in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Bidens mandate for employees at large companies. Can we keep it if it makes us feel more comfortable? Any individual, even if asymptomatic, who wishes to get tested can do so for a fee through Vault Health (the company we have contracted with for student arrival testing) or through a number of other providers. Example: staying home and out of the public. LVHN will provide vaccinations to employees through employee health services and to all personnel through designated LVHN COVID-19 clinic locations. How do faculty and staff submit their vaccination and booster documentation? If you receive a positive test from an outside source, be sure to let the Health and Wellness Center know and to upload your results on your health center portal. Scheduling can be completed through MyLVHN, with the MyLVHN app, or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). All members of the community are encouraged to treat one another with respect. Another 1.2 million have received a booster dose. "Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team," said a joint statement. Good Shepherd officials reported 93% of employees had been vaccinated and the remaining employees received exemptions, had appointments planned or were on leave. LVHN is providing free COVID-19 screenings online and by phone. St. Luke's and LVHN employees who caught COVID-19 to defer getting the vaccine, other employers may follow Tyger Williams / Philadelphia Inquirer Some employers are considering allowing. We have prepared guidance on what to do if you are feeling sick and suspect you have COVID-19. The Supreme Court ruling limits the power of the federal government to mandate that large employers take certain measures, such as requiring vaccinations, but does not preclude or limit employers from instituting such measures. Is the University still looking at air changes and ventilation? HUn8}WTI,m\B`AeDr}i;C M (qx33t|u/nn\,c3e0]uW}^O'WA\U Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Downs said. A Pennsylvania hospital chain announces it will not require employees who had COVID-19 to get vaccinated for 12 months after their positive tests. LVHN can help those who do not have a primary care provider. On Monday, Aug. 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. K(*piY^9%w'\lzInog-EV]Yb|^, vmsU#O!Hi3@O;\l!k(p!-} iw{_6E+N 4-+3O]xSHwxu@W3Kva]0([@H[CP |?C wo x>\.8CU`DEFq4,X0^ncwQhEGl,6.l/5FQO.,H9hN>z/e}NZeK"HMCleRcV]Ng&mN >E Every employer can handle it in a different way because theres no set standard for that type of exemption, Easterly said. 8. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team, said a joint statement attributed to Lehigh Valley Health Network CEO Brian A. Nester, St. Lukes University Health Network CEO Rick Anderson Good Shepherd Rehabilitation CEO Michael Spigel. Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants decreases over time. There are . Our journalism needs your support. St. Lukes and LVHN employees who caught, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), St. Lukes and LVHN employees who caught COVID-19 to defer getting the vaccine, other employers may follow, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61, Bryan Kohberger defense lawyers want gag order kept in Idaho killings case, Allentown School Board likely to vote on hiring Carol Birks as superintendent next week. If you test positive for COVID, contact the university's Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. Once you've found out you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should contact your primary care provider to meet virtually. HUMo0Wh jv E6i0v7Vlm]GJ8a.QlS||@,8%CYw@hZD=Zor J!F#bA8 \gnhC# What are the current campus status and protocols? You also can schedule an appointment by calling our COVID-19 Hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). Instructors who choose to shift to remote-only instruction should: 1. send an email to their chair indicating their plan for instruction for the coming week and 2. inform students of this planned shift. If the instructor becomes symptomatic or receives a positive COVID test result, the instructor should shift the class to remote instruction until the instructor receives a confirmed negative test result or, in the case of a positive test, is cleared to return to work. Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, eating utensils, cups and towels. Love Where You Work! Noncompliance with the booster requirement for students will result ina hold being placed on the student's account which will prevent them from registering for classes for the following semester. Leif Greiss is a reporter covering hospitals and health care in the Lehigh Valley. hUmOP+fq& -VMU2 The Employee Health Nurse Care Manager will need to clear you for return to work and will facilitate appropriate contact tracing. Though the decision was sent to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals for review, that court is unlikely to make a decision until mid-December. The dividers at these locations will remain in place at present. Given the waning effectiveness of vaccines over time, the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and mounting evidence that boosters provide additional protection against COVID, Lehigh is requiring the COVID booster as an extension of the universitys COVID vaccination requirement for all eligible students, faculty and staff who did not receive an approved medical or religious exemption. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Boosters are a necessary component of our health and safety protocols to support a successful semester on campus, including in-person instruction and activities. O'Donnell doesn't agree with the area's major hospitals - LVHN, St. Lukes and Good Shepherd- which are mandating all their employees get the COVID-19 vaccine. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, Job Placement Success & Postgraduate Education, Medical Information Request & Verification Form, COVID-19 Health Services from LVHN for Staff and Faculty, 2021 COVID-19 Testing Claim Review Request, Read more about COVID-19 symptoms, treatmentand on-campus testing for students on this page. Researchers said the results are only applicable to the delta strain and only the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine was examined. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com. She facilitates care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or may test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. If you don't feel well: Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. '2u&"2U(g/CHtO )D1nq1dY,{,5((ADE{'9K2Y`z;p'YNwC|Wh8 I)yPj$C"gx_rTe6399Pa+3|Ypt5ZWM14'KTVQJ!B (F(Mja_EGgLteFQF,$8~~] HveCexUzQ&!P3?Vm+kEfTs^-{/mbXL$eL'2. Please do not send us any additional information other than what is requested in the form above. Any vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or under the WHO - Emergency Use Listing will satisfy this requirement. LVHN was the last to release its vaccination statistics, giving unionized employees until Nov. 30. If LVHN employees covered by this policy are vaccinated outside of LVHN clinics, LVPG practices or Employee Health Services, they must provide evidence of immunization to Jan 20, 2023. Call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about virtual care options. Because of this, employers that are considering deferrals for the naturally immune are trying to figure out how to structure that as an internal policy. If you received a medical or religious exemption from COVID vaccination, you are not required to get a booster shot and do not need to take any further action. Why is Lehigh requiring a COVID booster shot for all eligible students, faculty, and staff? If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. Send a secure message to the Health and Wellness Center through the Patient Portal and they will be able to log your individual situation and advise on any further questions about your vaccination/booster schedule. "It's not FDA-approved, it's. Its perfectly legal for employers who have vaccine mandates in place to allow deferrals for employees with natural immunity, Ed Easterly, with the law firm Hoffman, Hlavac & Easterly, said. This testing can be done by your Primary Care Physician or can be coordinated through ouroccupational health services partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). Please allow a few weeks before this process is complete. All faculty have been instructed to work with students to ensure their ability to keep up with coursework if they need to quarantine or isolate. However, the study has multiple limitations. I lost my vaccine card. You can start here and watch the video that provides guidance about your next steps. Lehigh Valley Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologists & other Lehigh Valley Health Network doctors are making waves on a global scale. Isolation typically lasts 5 days after a positive test result, with required mask-wearing for 5 additional days. Lehigh students, faculty and staff should follow the guidance provided by the Health and Wellness Center (for students) and Lehighs occupational health nursefrom LVHN(for faculty and staff). I'm an international student and I am not eligible to get the booster in my home country. Can I have copies of the safety reminder signs to put up in my office? PA-07 COVID-19 Testing Sites Lehigh Valley Health Network COVID-19 Assess and Test Locations Instructions (apply to each location) "We have opened LVHN COVID-19 Assess and Test locations throughout the region to minimize our community's exposure to COVID-19. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Also remember that your primary care provider is always a phone call away or via a secure message through your MyLVHN account. Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services can be found here. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect our community and allow for a return to normal campus operations. If the percentage of students in isolation for COVID in a class (section) is greater than 30%, the instructor can move to remote instruction until students return from isolation. On Sept. 9, President Joe Biden issued executive orders that, among other things, would have required private businesses with more than 100 employees to have their employees either get their COVID-19 shots or get tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis and would have had a deadline of Jan. 4. an extension of the universitys COVID vaccination requirement for all eligible students, faculty and staff who did not receive an approved medical or religious exemption. To schedule an appointment for the Dorney Park drive-through clinic or any other LVHN COVID-19 vaccination event, people in Phase 1A can sign in to MyLVHN. St. Lukes, following a Sept. 25 deadline, reported that of its approximately 17,000 employees, 668 were granted medical or religious exemptions or temporary deferments and 155 quit. If you fall into the CDC-defined category of people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to a, , you may submit a confidential request for a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by submitting these forms through email at, If you are 65 years of age or older (another higher risk category defined by the CDC) or do not have an underlying medical condition but are generally concerned about returning to campus, please talk with your department chair or supervisor about modifications (such as flexplace arrangements, flexible schedules or workspace modifications) that may allow you to perform your position accountabilities effectively and productively. Is there support for University staff and faculty (and their dependents) for mental health needs during this period? The situation is not as dire as last years surge, before the public had any access to COVID-19 vaccines, but the roughly 60% of the U.S. population that is fully vaccinated is not enough to prevent hot spots. What happens if a faculty member gets sick and cannot teach? Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . However, the LVHN mandate didnt go into effect until Aug. 24, the day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizers vaccine. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. For example, because someone is choosing to wear a mask (beyond any university requirements), complete the symptom checker, or complete other protocols is not necessarily indicative of their vaccination status. Click here to download the document. Lehigh Valley Health Network will officially close its five COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Whitehall, Easton, Hazleton, Pottsville and East Stroudsburg (as well as the network's mobile vaccination . Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. If you test positive for COVID, contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext.