Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Norwegian, Carnival Cruise Lines Fight For Right To Keep Ships Healthy
CNN: Norwegian Cruise Line Sues Florida Surgeon General Over Vaccine Passport Ban
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is suing Florida's surgeon general over the state's law that prohibits companies from requiring customers and employees to provide documentation of Covid-19 vaccination status. According to the complaint filed Tuesday, NCLH says the lawsuit is a "last resort" because Florida had indicated it would prevent the company from "safely and soundly resuming passenger cruise operations" next month. It described the state law as an "anomalous, misguided intrusion." (Riess, 7/14)
CBS News: Carnival Cruises Requiring Unvaccinated Passengers Be Insured Before Boarding
Unvaccinated passengers who want to board a Carnival-owned cruise ship must first buy a travel insurance policy worth at least $10,000, according to a recently announced company rule. The insurance requirement takes effect July 31 and applies to excursions leaving from Florida, Carnival said on its booking website. Carnival has four Florida ports, in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa. (Brooks, 7/13)
In other news about vaccine mandates —
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Piedmont To Require Staff To Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19
The Piedmont Healthcare system will require doctors, hospital leaders and new employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19 by Sept. 1, the Atlanta-based nonprofit organization said Monday. Other employees at Piedmont facilities will be required to get COVID shots “in the near future,’' Piedmont said in a statement. “It’s important to consider that vaccination is a leading factor in patients and team members feeling safe within a health care setting, as shown by research we conducted,’' said the statement from Piedmont, a fast-growing system with 11 hospitals in the state. “Moreover, it is in keeping with our peers from other leading health systems throughout the United States.’' (Miller, 7/13)
Crain's Chicago Business: UChicago Medicine To Require COVID Vaccine For Workers
The University of Chicago Medicine system is requiring workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, according to an internal memo obtained by Crain's. The mandate follows a UChicago announcement today that all university employees are expected to get vaccinated, unless they’re exempt for medical, religious or another authorized reason. Three-hospital Loyola Medicine also is mandating COVID vaccines for employees, a move its Michigan-based parent announced last week. (Goldberg, 7/13)
The Washington Post: Organizations Call For Requiring Health Workers To Get Coronavirus Shots
A coalition of health-care organizations called on medical facilities Tuesday to mandate that their workers get vaccinated against the coronavirus, saying the strategy has worked to fight influenza and other infectious diseases and is necessary to contain the pandemic. “COVID-19 vaccination should be a condition of employment for all healthcare personnel,” the coalition’s statement reads, warning that “a sufficient vaccination rate is unlikely to be achieved” without a vaccine mandate. (Diamond, 7/13)
Boston Herald: Boston College Faces Fury Over Vaccine Exemptions Denied Over Abortion Link
Boston College is facing a wave of Catholic parents and students “disgusted” by religious exemptions being denied over a link to aborted fetal tissue used to test the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines. Some of those parents told the Herald Monday they are rallying together in a desperate attempt to change the Jesuit school’s stance before fall classes begin on August 30. Some are also concerned top athletes could drop out. “This is a nightmare,” said one mother. “This is not what BC taught me when I was there,” said an alumna. “Even my priest couldn’t believe it.” (Dwinell, 7/13)
