Man refusing vaccine.Photo: Getty ImagesAn Alabama doctor is making hisstance on vaccinations clear— he’ll no longer treat patients who are unvaccinated.Withjust 36% of people in the state fully vaccinated against COVID-19— the lowest rate in the country — Dr. Jason Valentine, a physician at Diagnostic and Medical Clinic Infirmary Health in Mobile, posted a photo on Facebook of a sign in his office with his new policy.“Effective October 1st, 2021,” the sign reads, “Dr. Valentine will no longer see patients that are not vaccinated against COVID-19.“Valentine has since made the post private, but he said in the caption that “If they asked why, I told them COVID is a miserable way to die and I can’t watch them die like that,“AL.com reported.The family medicine specialist said that he’s sending a letter to send to all of his patients explaining the new policy, which he also posted on Facebook.“We do not yet have any great treatments for severe disease, but we do have great prevention with vaccines. Unfortunately, many have declined to take the vaccine, and some end up severely ill or dead. I cannot and will not force anyone to take the vaccine, but I also cannot continue to watch my patients suffer and die from an eminently preventable disease,” Valentine wrote.“Therefore, as of October 1st, 2021, I will no longer see patients that have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you wish to keep me as your physician, documentation of your vaccination will suffice. If you wish to choose another physician, we will be happy to transfer your records.“Since putting up the sign, Valentine said that three of his unvaccinated patients have reached out asking where they could get a vaccine.RELATED VIDEO: N.Y.C. To Require Proof Of Vaccination For Indoor Dining And FitnessAlabama is currently dealing with their highest number of COVID-19 cases of the entire pandemic. On Aug. 15, they reported a state-record 6,992 new infections, a 42% increase over the last 14 days,according toThe New York Times. Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have also soared, and the state said Wednesday that they are out of ICU beds due to the surge.In June,Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said that unvaccinated peoplein the state should get the blame for the rise in cases.“Folks [are] supposed to have common sense. But it’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.““Let’s get it done,” she continued. “We know what it takes to get it done and it’s to get a shot in your arm. I’ve done it. It’s safe, it’s effective … it doesn’t cost you anything. It saves lives.“As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
Man refusing vaccine.Photo: Getty Images
An Alabama doctor is making hisstance on vaccinations clear— he’ll no longer treat patients who are unvaccinated.Withjust 36% of people in the state fully vaccinated against COVID-19— the lowest rate in the country — Dr. Jason Valentine, a physician at Diagnostic and Medical Clinic Infirmary Health in Mobile, posted a photo on Facebook of a sign in his office with his new policy.“Effective October 1st, 2021,” the sign reads, “Dr. Valentine will no longer see patients that are not vaccinated against COVID-19.“Valentine has since made the post private, but he said in the caption that “If they asked why, I told them COVID is a miserable way to die and I can’t watch them die like that,“AL.com reported.The family medicine specialist said that he’s sending a letter to send to all of his patients explaining the new policy, which he also posted on Facebook.“We do not yet have any great treatments for severe disease, but we do have great prevention with vaccines. Unfortunately, many have declined to take the vaccine, and some end up severely ill or dead. I cannot and will not force anyone to take the vaccine, but I also cannot continue to watch my patients suffer and die from an eminently preventable disease,” Valentine wrote.“Therefore, as of October 1st, 2021, I will no longer see patients that have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you wish to keep me as your physician, documentation of your vaccination will suffice. If you wish to choose another physician, we will be happy to transfer your records.“Since putting up the sign, Valentine said that three of his unvaccinated patients have reached out asking where they could get a vaccine.RELATED VIDEO: N.Y.C. To Require Proof Of Vaccination For Indoor Dining And FitnessAlabama is currently dealing with their highest number of COVID-19 cases of the entire pandemic. On Aug. 15, they reported a state-record 6,992 new infections, a 42% increase over the last 14 days,according toThe New York Times. Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have also soared, and the state said Wednesday that they are out of ICU beds due to the surge.In June,Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said that unvaccinated peoplein the state should get the blame for the rise in cases.“Folks [are] supposed to have common sense. But it’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.““Let’s get it done,” she continued. “We know what it takes to get it done and it’s to get a shot in your arm. I’ve done it. It’s safe, it’s effective … it doesn’t cost you anything. It saves lives.“As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
An Alabama doctor is making hisstance on vaccinations clear— he’ll no longer treat patients who are unvaccinated.
Withjust 36% of people in the state fully vaccinated against COVID-19— the lowest rate in the country — Dr. Jason Valentine, a physician at Diagnostic and Medical Clinic Infirmary Health in Mobile, posted a photo on Facebook of a sign in his office with his new policy.
“Effective October 1st, 2021,” the sign reads, “Dr. Valentine will no longer see patients that are not vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Valentine has since made the post private, but he said in the caption that “If they asked why, I told them COVID is a miserable way to die and I can’t watch them die like that,“AL.com reported.
The family medicine specialist said that he’s sending a letter to send to all of his patients explaining the new policy, which he also posted on Facebook.
“We do not yet have any great treatments for severe disease, but we do have great prevention with vaccines. Unfortunately, many have declined to take the vaccine, and some end up severely ill or dead. I cannot and will not force anyone to take the vaccine, but I also cannot continue to watch my patients suffer and die from an eminently preventable disease,” Valentine wrote.
“Therefore, as of October 1st, 2021, I will no longer see patients that have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you wish to keep me as your physician, documentation of your vaccination will suffice. If you wish to choose another physician, we will be happy to transfer your records.”
Since putting up the sign, Valentine said that three of his unvaccinated patients have reached out asking where they could get a vaccine.
RELATED VIDEO: N.Y.C. To Require Proof Of Vaccination For Indoor Dining And Fitness
Alabama is currently dealing with their highest number of COVID-19 cases of the entire pandemic. On Aug. 15, they reported a state-record 6,992 new infections, a 42% increase over the last 14 days,according toThe New York Times. Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have also soared, and the state said Wednesday that they are out of ICU beds due to the surge.
In June,Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said that unvaccinated peoplein the state should get the blame for the rise in cases.
“Folks [are] supposed to have common sense. But it’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.”
“Let’s get it done,” she continued. “We know what it takes to get it done and it’s to get a shot in your arm. I’ve done it. It’s safe, it’s effective … it doesn’t cost you anything. It saves lives.”
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
