99% of Gundersen staff fully vaccinated — 30 fired

Gundersen Health System in La Crosse says 99% of its 9,164 staff are “compliant or in the process of becoming compliant” with its COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

That percent includes staff who have received exemptions for medical or disability reasons, or for “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

Gundersen said 92 staff have “separated from the organization” due to the vaccine requirement — 62 resignations and 30 terminations.

“Gundersen respects everyone’s right to express their opinion on this and a variety of issues, and understands the choice some employees will make,” the healthcare giant said in a statement. “However, Gundersen’s mission of caring for patients and ensuring their health and safety, along with the health and safety of staff, is the organization’s number one priority.”

Gundersen first announced a vaccine requirement with a November deadline back in August. At that point, 85% of its staff was vaccinated.

“(The) vaccine requirement was, in part, a proactive step in anticipation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) emergency regulation now in effect,” Gundersen said in the statement. “The CMS emergency regulation is stricter than Gundersen’s vaccine requirement and offers less flexibility. Gundersen is reviewing the regulation to ensure compliance.”

Meanwhile, La Crosse County’s total population is 60.7% fully vaccinated while the state of Wisconsin is at 55.1%.