At least four chains of Chicago community health centers, which collectively serve about 80,000 low-income patients, will require their workers to get COVID-19 vaccines, they announced Thursday.

       Esperanza Health Centers, Alivio Medical Center, AHS Family Health Center and CommunityHealth will require employees to get their first vaccine doses by Sept. 1. Together, the centers have more than a dozen clinics across the Chicago area where patients can see primary care doctors and access other health services even if they are uninsured and regardless of their immigration status.

       “This decision was not taken lightly, but the rapid increase in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations requires us to be especially proactive at a time when highly-effective vaccines are widely available,” said Dan Fulwiler, president and CEO of Esperanza, in a news release. “Preserving the health of our personnel, patients and employees is our top responsibility and we believe this measure will help us better protect our families and communities.”

       Jada Johnson receives the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Armando Ambriz, a medical assistant with Esperanza Health Centers, at the Gage Park vaccination site in Chicago on Feb. 19, 2021. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

       The centers already have about 85% to 95% of their staffs vaccinated, they said.

       The move follows similar announcements from some of the Chicago area’s largest hospital systems, including Loyola Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, UI Health and Rush.

       Many major medical groups have come out in favor of vaccine mandates for health care workers. More than 50 health care organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Nursing Association, released a statement earlier this week supporting vaccine mandates in health care.

       Chicago clinics serving low-income patients mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees, following lead of big hospitals

       7m

       DuPage and McHenry counties now under indoor-masking-for-all guidance as COVID-19 spread deemed ‘substantial’ by CDC

       Jul 28, 2021

       Coronavirus Gamma, delta, lambda – here’s your guide to the Greek alphabet of the COVID-19 variants

       Jul 27, 2021

       Arlington Heights Video shows chaotic scene before daylight home invasion, armed robbery attempt in Arlington Heights

       Apr 9, 2020

       Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox acquire César Hernández from the Cleveland Indians: ‘A strong and proven option at second base for the stretch run’

       49m