Yale New Haven Health adopts proof of vaccination in an effort to keep patients and staff safer during current COVID surge

New Haven, CT (Dec. 22, 2021) –Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS) announced that all visitors to admitted patients in its hospitals will have to show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative PCR test to visit. YNHHS is making this change in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases. The vaccination requirement will take effect at 8 am on Thursday, December 23.

In response to rising cases, patients will be allowed only one visitor per day. All visitors must be 18 years or older. Visitors are required to show a government-issued photo ID prior to entry. All visitors are required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days post final COVID vaccine dose) prior to entering. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors are eligible for visitation only if they can provide proof of a negative PCR test that was collected within 72 hours of visit. Please note that home test kits are not accepted.

Exceptions to the policy are determined by the patient’s care team and include, but not limited to, partners of laboring patients, patients with disabilities and end-of-life situations.

“In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases, we made the difficult decision to require proof of vaccination across our health system to keep our patients, visitors and staff as safe as possible,” said Thomas Balcezak, MD, chief clinical officer, Yale New Haven Health. “By taking these steps, it’s essential that we examine what best practices are and move forward to limit the opportunity for exposure. By showing proof of full vaccination or recent negative test status, we are making every effort to keep risk minimized and ensure the health and well-being of everyone across our health system. The health and safety of our patients, families and staff members is our top priority. These visitation guidelines will balance preventing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 with the needs of our patients and their loved ones.”

Yale New Haven Health includes Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island

Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in Connecticut, is recognized for advanced clinical care, quality, service, cost effectiveness and commitment to improving the health status of the communities it serves. YNHHS includes five hospitals – Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial, Westerly and Yale New Haven hospitals, several specialty networks and Northeast Medical Group, a non-profit medical foundation with several hundred community-based and hospital-employed physicians. YNHHS is affiliated with Yale University and Yale Medicine, the clinical practice of the Yale School of Medicine and the largest academic multi-specialty practice in New England. Yale New Haven Hospital is the primary teaching hospital of Yale School of Medicine. www.ynhhs.org