BURLINGTON — The University of Vermont Health Network issued a prepared statement Friday morning on employee COVID-19 vaccination requirements within the health system.

The prepared statement from John Brumsted, MD, president and chief executive officer of the University of Vermont Health Network, cited the rise of COVID-19 cases in the North Country and in Vermont due to the highly contagious delta variant, as the basis for renewed emphasis on vaccinating the health network’s workforce.

“Therefore, the UVM Health Network is actively engaged towards requiring our entire workforce of nearly 15,000 employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as a condition of employment,” Brumsted’s statement said. “Those who decline vaccination will be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing when this requirement goes into effect in October.”

Malone’s Alice Hyde Medical Center is a part of UVM’s Health Network.

According to Brumsted, both regionally and nationally, other employers, including hospitals and health systems, have instituted mandatory vaccinations as a next step as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

“As an academic health system, we rely on data, research and science to keep our patients healthy and save lives,” Brumsted’s statement said. “The recent rise of COVID-19 cases in our region and across the country due to the highly contagious delta variant has made one thing crystal clear; vaccination is how we control the spread and hopefully end this pandemic.”

Brumsted’s statement said throughout the pandemic the health network has urged people to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves and others.

“We are committed to creating a process that is respectful of all our employees and one that recognizes the urgent need to take action to prevent sickness and save lives,” Brumsted’s statement said. “Details of our plan and process will be forthcoming in the near future.”

Brumsted’s prepared statement expressed appreciation to all members of the health network who are already vaccinated.

“We are incredibly grateful to the vast majority of our workforce who have already been vaccinated, and to our physicians and other caregivers who have been on the frontlines of this unprecedented and ongoing pandemic,” Brumsted’s statement said.