UPMC requires its employees to get flu shots, but as of now, it’s not requiring them to get COVID-19 vaccinations — although it has urged them to do so, has tried to educate them on the benefits and has shots easily available, according to Chief Medical Officer Don Yealy in a hybrid news conference Tuesday.

UPMC has had a seasonal flu shot mandate for years, reflecting the medical community’s long experience with those vaccinations, Yealy said.

COVID-19 vaccines were developed only last year. Still, testing and experience has shown those vaccines are highly effective, Yealy said.

“It’s a very contentious issue,” with lots of articles arguing each side, Yealy said about COVID-19 vaccine mandates for organizations.

UPMC is keeping tabs on “government events and national and local data,” he said. “We can always consider other options,” he added.

With the help of its “aggressive” approach, 75% of eligible UPMC employees have been vaccinated so far, according to Yealy. For now, “we’re doing OK,” he said.

“We are listening to the remaining staff to understand the various reasons why they haven’t been vaccinated, address concerns, and remove barriers to vaccination,” wrote UPMC spokeswoman Danielle Sampsell in a follow-up email.

The state is hanging back on the issue.

“Ultimately, the decision will come from the organizations (like UPMC),” said Denise Johnson, acting Pennsylvania physician general, who was part of the news conference, when asked whether vaccines should be required for staff in health care facilities.

Still, “when caring for a vulnerable population, the last thing you want is to have any sort of ability to spread a dangerous virus,” Johnson said. “We encourage facilities to look at the best interests of the people they serve.”

One indication of the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines is that “the vast majority” of people being hospitalized for COVID-19 currently are not fully vaccinated, Yealy said. Moreover, the exceptions generally have “underlying conditions” that make them vulnerable, he said.

And their illnesses are usually not as severe as the typical cases before vaccinations were available, Yealy said.

“Vaccines work,” Yealy said. “They’re safe and they provide excellent protection.”

Not perfect protection, he added.

But just because vaccines aren’t perfect is no reason to avoid them, he said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.