Overturned vaccine mandate may still apply to Russell Medical, Ivy Creek

Local manufacturing plants are off the hook, but employees of Russell Medical Center and Ivy Creek Healthcare may still be required to get vaccinated under a directive made by President Joe Biden in September 2021.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court blocked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emergency measure by 5-4 vote, but made an exception for employers that accept Medicare or Medicaid. The rule came just days after the OSHA regulation had gone into effect, requiring employers of 100 workers or more to make COVID-19 vaccination — or weekly testing — a condition of employment.