Assisted living center company requiring employees to be vaccinated by May 1

An assisted living center company based in Texas will be requiring all of their employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by May 1.

The announcement by Civitas Senior Living on March 17 said that their 2,600 employees across multiple locations will be required to get the coronavirus vaccine.

“We know that the vaccines are the way to the future, a future that not only benefits our residents’ quality of life but also the senior living industry. That is why we are requiring all of our employees to take that next step and get vaccinated,” Civitas Senior Living Chief Operating Officer Misty Miller said.

The company is a certified COVID-19 Vaccination Provider by the Texas Department of State Health Services so they are able to vaccinate everyone at their 36 Texas locations, the announcement states.

“Due to Civitas’ vaccination efforts at our communities, we have seen incredible results,” said Miller. “As of today, we do not currently have any residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 at our communities. We credit this to our vaccination program, effective protocol, and the passionate care of our staff members.” 

Although other senior living facilities have required the vaccine, many other companies have not.

Instead, some other companies have incentivized getting the vaccine by offering paid time off.

It could be more plausible for employers to mandate the vaccine as states begin to open vaccinations to all its residents.

More states will be expanding eligibility for the vaccine in April and May with those as young as 16 years old being able to get the coronavirus vaccine.