Top US health official answers questions about hospital staff vaccine mandates in visit to UF Health

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Meeting with health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra made a special stop in Jacksonville Friday.

On his list was UF Health, where he heard from doctors and nurses about how he can help them help their patients.

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There, a nurse told the secretary he suffered two small strokes during the pandemic — likely from the stress of treating COVID-19 patients.

“Better work-life balance... You don’t realize just how hard you’re working, and your body turns around and stops you,” the nurse explained.

The secretary highlighted the importance of HHS’s support of health workers.

“You are the unsung heroes,” Becerra said to UF Health staff.

Action News Jax’s Stephanie Bennett asked about federal vaccine mandates for hospital staff — while Florida law prohibits such mandates:

“I know Florida hospitals are kind of caught in the middle right now between the state and the federal government, but the question to you is do you see the federal government disciplining hospitals for unvaccinated employees?”

Becerra replied, “We’re working with states and those providers to try to help them get to the point where their workforce is vaccinated and safe... We’ve laid out a program to make sure that everyone can get there... This is not about trying to punish; it’s about trying to protect.”

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The secretary wrapped up his visit by reminding health workers that HHS deploys support teams to hospitals in COVID-19 hot spots. He wants front-line workers to know they’re not alone in the fight.

When Action News Jax asked about the vaccination status of UF Health’s staff, CEO Russ Armistead said the hospital is following federal and state guidelines, adding that they do what the CDC and the state require.

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