PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — All healthcare workers in Oregon and Washington will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18 — or else they will need an exemption to keep their jobs.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the Oregon Nursing Board voted to allow it to investigate and sanction working nurses who are not vaccinated. That means someone would be able to file a complaint with the state nursing board about someone who is not vaccinated.
Discipline could range from reprimand to losing their licenses. The reports can be anonymous.
During an investigation, the healthcare worker will not automatically lose their license or be placed on leave.
The board is not going to police who is or who is not vaccinated — a complaint would have to be sent in to the board.
The state nursing board licenses 72,000 registered nurses in Oregon, 19,000 certified nursing assistants and about 6,000 licensed practical nurses.