As respiratory virus activity has slowly decreased across the region, the Department of Infection Prevention is relaxing masking requirements for several groups as per VUMC policy. Starting March 26, required masking may stop for the following:
- For all faculty, housestaff, and staff who have received an exemption from influenza vaccination
- Universal masking in high-risk areas of the Medical Center such as Vanderbilt University Hospital 11 North, Critical Care Tower 10; Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt 6A and 6B; and the Adult Ambulatory Outpatient Transplant Unit.
Individuals may still decide to mask on a voluntary basis based on personal considerations and risk. Please respect the decision of those who decide to mask, and please put on a mask if a patient or colleague requests you to do so.
The Department of Infection Prevention will continue to track measures of respiratory virus activity. In the event such metrics increase, other interventions, including universal masking in all clinical areas, may be reinstituted.