Last Updated on October 5, 2021 5:01 pm
[Alleghany, Ashe & Watauga Counties, NC] – On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, the
AppHealthCare Board of Health, covering Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga Counties, approved a
policy to require the COVID-19 vaccine for all AppHealthCare employees, contractors, students
and volunteers.
This policy will require staff to show proof of full vaccination by October 31, 2021. Any medical
and/or religious exemptions to the policy must be submitted by October 1, 2021. The staff who
have an approved exemption are required to participate in weekly COVID-19 screening testing
and wear a mask.
“The Board of Health took action to require the COVID-19 vaccine for AppHealthCare
employees, contractors, students and volunteers because we know vaccinations are the best
way to build a path out of this pandemic. As the local public health agency for our district, we
know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and are continuing to help prevent severe
illness, hospitalization and death. We hope this action will encourage others to get vaccinated
and for businesses, agencies and organizations to consider how they can encourage employees
to get vaccinated. We are committed to AppHealthCare being a safe place for everyone in our
community to seek services, and this vaccine requirement demonstrates our ongoing
commitment to public health and safety,” stated David Triplett, Chairman of the
AppHealthCare Board of Health.
We are hopeful that with increased vaccination in our communities, we will be able to better
control this virus and not have it disrupt so many aspects of our life. We continue to urge
people to get vaccinated and not wait. We understand people have questions around the
vaccines, and we encourage you to speak with trusted sources like your healthcare provider or
call our COVID-19 Call Center at (828) 795-1970, and we would be happy to help answer your
questions.
