JCC of Greater Pittsburgh to require covid vaccination for members and staff

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh will require its staff, members and guests to be fully vaccinated within two months.

The requirement is effective Oct. 18 at the center, based in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, with facilities also in the South Hills and Monroeville.

The JCC board unanimously approved the requirement, Jason Kunzman, the center’s chief program officer, said Wednesday.

A letter was sent to members of the JCC notifying them of the requirement. It is spurred by a surge in covid-19 cases that started in early August.

Paid membership to the JCC is 62% of what it had been before the pandemic started a year ago. Of the 10,500 people who are members, 87% are older than 12, and eligible to be vaccinated, Kunzman said.

The JCC provides a number of services, recreational opportunities and programs for its members and the community.

“It became evident Allegheny County was moving into substantial (levels of community spread),” Kunzman said. “We believe that throughout the pandemic we have followed the science as well as the recommendations of national and local health authorities.”

Although no national, state or local vaccination mandate exists, many private businesses and organizations are enacting similar requirements.

The requirement is the best way the JCC can mitigate the risk of exposure and spread of covid, Kunzman said.

The move was supported by organizations the JCC works with.

“The JCC is to be commended in its steadfast approach to following the science and prioritizing public health,” said Dr. Elizabeth Miller, director of UPMC Children’s Hospital’s division of adolescent and youth adult medicine.

The requirement isn’t effective until Oct. 18 to allow those who aren’t vaccinated time to do so, Kunzman said.

It is partnering with Squirrel Hill Health Center to provide vaccinations and covid tests for staff prior to Oct. 18.

Since Aug. 3, the center has also required masks to be worn while indoors.

“This decision was really made with the best interests of both staff … and the community,” Kunzman said.