Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Escambia County Health Care Authority (ECHCA) announced today that at present, they will not require employees to get vaccinated as a condition of employment.

The decision comes after a number of large health systems both locally and nationally have made the decision to do the opposite and require their employees, physicians, volunteers and vendors to vaccinate, ECHCA officials said in a release.

This will affect all ECHCA employees who work at Atmore Community Hospital, D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital (DWM) and all affiliated medical centers and physician clinics in Atmore, Brewton and Flomaton.

“We strongly encourage all employees to get the vaccine, but at this point in time we are not making it mandatory,” ECHCA CEO Jeff Booth said in a release.

According to ECHCA, all local citizens are encouraged to get the vaccine. Several ECHCA COVID vaccine clinics have been offered in the past, and more than 10,000 doses have been given locally. DWM will continue hosting vaccine clinics on Fridays from 10 a.m. until noon starting back on August 20, 2021. To schedule an appointment, call 251-809-8333.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone that is part of our health care team for what they do each day for all of our patients and their families, particularly in these very trying times,” Booth said. “Their commitment to providing the best possible healthcare to the citizens of our communities is much appreciated.”