The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the city of Chattanooga and member businesses, is launching the Healthy Chattanooga Coalition, a group of employers that will provide incentives for vaccine use among workers and to increase vaccination rates across the city’s employers.
The coalition hopes to see a 60% or better vaccination rate in Chattanooga and Hamilton County by Dec. 1, the Chamber reports.
“Our clinical leaders support the vaccine,” says Thomas Ozburn, president and CEO, Parkridge Health System. “They’ve studied the science behind it, and it’s safe and effective. The likelihood of getting seriously ill, becoming hospitalized or even dying as a result of COVID-19 is greatly diminished for those who are fully vaccinated.”
Leaders from every sector support the coalition’s work, according to the Chamber.
“Astec cares about the health and safety of its employees as well as the communities where we operate, which is why Astec supports the Healthy Chattanooga Coalition,” says Barry Ruffalo, president and CEO of Astec Industries.
“As the number of cases continues to rise in our community, we have a responsibility to mitigate the risk to our employees by ensuring a safe work environment. Vaccinations and masks are the best tools we have in the fight against COVID-19.”
The coalition will work within three tiers of choice to encourage employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Tier 1: Companies will encourage employees to be vaccinated and provide support throughout the process.
Tier 2: Companies will provide incentives to employees to be vaccinated and provide support throughout the process.
Tier 3: Companies will require all employees to be vaccinated.
Learn more about the coalition and sign up
Source: Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce