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Rochester, MN ( KROC AM News) - Mayo Clinic has partially backed off an earlier Covid vaccination mandate ultimatum it had issued to its employees.

Mayo announced in October it would require employees to have at least one dose by Dec. 3rd unless they received a medical or religious exemption. The announcement said employees who missed the deadline would be placed on unpaid leave.

Andy Brownell/TSM
Andy Brownell/TSM
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When contacted by KROC News Thursday, Mayo spokeswoman Kelley Luckstein issued this response:

“Mayo Clinic transitioned from an unpaid leave beginning Dec. 3 to a final written warning to avoid placing additional stress on vaccinated staff and potentially having to revoke previously approved paid time off in December.”

Covid Vaccinations
(Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
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Another mandate in the October announcement indicated workers who were still unvaccinated by Jan 3 would face termination. That has apparently has not changed.

Luckstein said Thursday:

"For staff to continue working at Mayo Clinic, they need to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 3. While Mayo Clinic does not want to lose any of its valued staff, Mayo remains firmly committed to requiring vaccination for staff to help ensure the safety of our patients, staff, visitors and communities.”

Luckstein said as of Thursday, 93% of Mayo employees across all locations have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. An unknown number have received medical and religious exemptions.

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