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Society of Information Systems and Health Management (HIMSS) has adopted a “mandatory vaccination” approach for all attendees, exhibitors, and staff at HIMSS21, its annual convention, to be held Aug. 9-13 in Las Vegas.
To obtain access to the meeting and its exhibition hall, a “complete vaccination” must be provided. A person will be considered completely vaccinated 2 weeks after receiving the second shot in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, or 2 weeks after receiving a single vaccine, such as the vaccine. of Johnson & Johnson.
The policy applies to vaccines that have received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the World Food Organization. Health (ie AstraZeneca / Oxford) from 10 May 2021.
HIMSS said it is evaluating validation solutions. The organization “will likely use one or more digital health applications” to confirm vaccination status, according to its document website.
Second, HIMSS21 will be the largest health conference since the beginning of the pandemic Fierce health. But it’s not the only conference that requires vaccination testing. HLTH, a web-based meeting and seminar company focused on healthcare innovation, will require attendees to use CLEAR’s healthcare pass at prove that they have been vaccinated at the October HLTH meeting in Boston.
In one of the most frequently asked questions attached, HIMSS said it insists on full vaccination because “HIMSS21 can be the most robust, productive and interactive conference possible if it requires vaccines for entry.” A HIMSS spokesman declined to elaborate.
In HIMSS21 educational sessions, speakers will use face shields or other protective measures when presenting. The partnership can be modified to allow compliance with the reduced capacity guidelines, the organization said.
There was no explanation as to why social distancing will be necessary if all attendees are vaccinated. However, HIMSS said it is evaluating “the evolution of public health guidelines on the use of masks in large meeting environments.”
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said fully vaccinated people it could be assembled inside without masks, regardless of the size of the meeting.
Although some experts have questioned the new guidelines, there are supporters of policies such as the implementation by HIMSS.
“Applying for vaccination tests is a smart thing to do. Whenever anyone who wants a vaccine can get a vaccine, requiring individuals who have been vaccinated as a condition of being in loaded spaces without masks is so ethical. as vital to public health, ”said Lawrence Gostin, JD, professor at Georgetown University, Washington, DC Medscape Medical News.
“Otherwise, there’s no way to know if the people around you without masking have been completely vaccinated or not. And it’s completely unrealistic to believe that somehow Americans respect the honor system and put on a mask if they haven’t been vaccinated, ”he said. The Biden administration has stated which does not admit a national “vaccine passport” that will be used for travel or other uses. Several states mostly controlled by Republicans have rejected the notion of government requiring this passport. (Nevada is not one of them.)
Although several states have come out against the vaccine passport, only Texas i Florida they prevent companies from establishing their own vaccination policies.
Gostin criticized the White House’s stance on testing vaccination systems. Noting that Israel adopted one and has returned to normal for a few months, and that the European Union plans to do the same, Gostin said: “The Biden Administration has told everyone that there must be different behaviors. for vaccinated and unvaccinated people, but stubbornly refuse to support testing of vaccination systems. Our government should provide strong national leadership and scientific and technical guidance to create such systems. “