InsideLowell has learned the Tufts Medicine and Lowell General Hospital employees were informed yesterday they are “required” to receive an updated Covid vaccine before the end of the year. The new policy comes with an out; staff members who choose not to receive another vaccine will be permitted to do so, provided they sign a “declination form.”

The directive was sent in a note from Chief Human Resource Officer, Sabrina Granville, and states the policy applies to “vendors, contract employees, volunteers, trainees and medical staff.” Those choosing to receive the updated vaccine can either do so onsite or provide proof of outside vaccination, and informs them the cost to do so is covered by insurance.

Granville writes the changes to the policy are “informed by scientific evidence and expert guidance” and that it’s “consistent with updated Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations.” Masking remains optional, though it’s noted that clinical leaders evaluate the policy regularly and may change it at any time.

Asked if signing the declination form would affect employees in any way now or in the future, a spokesperson for Tufts Medicine responded that  “employees may decline receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine by completing and submitting a declination form, with no affect on their current or future work status.”

When asked whether it affected sick, personal or vacation time, he responded “it does not.”

The note from Human Resources did note that Tufts Medicine “may at any point update this policy and/or require additional mitigation strategies for those who have not received the vaccine, depending on changes in government regulation, the availability of new vaccine technology or other developments.”