“The safety of patients and staff is every hospital’s priority, and we applaud Hackensack Meridian Health for taking this decisive action. Expanding vaccination to as many New Jerseyans as possible not only protects our communities, it brings us closer to putting an end to this pandemic. We also know that the vaccines are our best defense against the variants that have sparked a COVID resurgence in some parts of the country. NJHA mandated vaccines for our employees because we want everyone to feel safe and comfortable at work, and it is with that goal in mind that we coordinate the conversation with the state’s hospitals to use all tools at our disposal to protect healthcare workers and the individuals in their care.”