A mobile donation vehicle used by the American Red Cross. Red Cross implemented safety protocols for the pandemic, including spacing beds 6-feet apart, requiring face masks, and additional wipe downs of donor areas.
Jason E. Miczek / Courtesy of American Red Cross
In an effort to clarify its vaccination policy, the American Red Cross has announced it will require employees get vaccinated by Jan. 4, in alignment with President Joe Biden’s mandate.
Last month, the Red Cross said its donation centers were not subject to Oregon’s vaccination mandate.
The Oregon Health Authority disagreed, and the non-profit said it would investigate.
Now the Red Cross has issued a statement saying it will require employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 to meet the federal mandate and Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. But it will also continue offering them medical and religious waivers.
The Red Cross said nearly 90% of its Oregon employees are fully vaccinated already. It said it has adapted operations during the pandemic to ensure the health and safety of its workforce, whilst also continuing to provide lifesaving services.
A statement released by the Red Cross said, “Over the last several months, as the delta variant emerged across the country, the pandemic continued to evolve in its complexity. In response to this, federal, state and local vaccination mandates have been implemented as COVID-19 vaccination rates have stalled. Many of these mandates apply to American Red Cross employees and volunteers who are working to deliver our mission in these localities. As a humanitarian organization, we remain dedicated to delivering our lifesaving mission to those in need across the country.”