One area hospital is putting a COVID-19 vaccination mandate in place for its employees.

Akron Children's Hospital announced to employees that the vaccine or regular mandatory testing will become a requirement of employment.

Employees that choose not to get the vaccines will have to undergo regular mandatory testing.

The mandate includes all employees at Akron Children's Hospital locations throughout the state.

The effective date for the vaccine mandate has not been determined at this time but a spokesperson said it will most likely be in the next few weeks.

Below is the statement from Akron Children's Hospital:

“Akron Children’s Hospital has announced to employees that the COVID-19 vaccine or regular mandatory testing will become a requirement of employment.  The effective date will likely be in the next few weeks as testing details are finalized,” said Grace Wakulchik, president and chief executive officer. “The COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective in protecting users from serious illness. Vaccination is the most important tool we have in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and we have an essential role as a pediatric hospital to do everything we can to keep the children in our care safe. The new employee vaccine requirement is another step in the safeguards we have implemented since the start of the pandemic, including screening at hospital entrances, requiring masks, and stressing proper distancing and proper hand hygiene.”

UPMC hospitals said that they have not made any changes to their staff vaccination policies.

Mercy Health has not made any changes in its policies, according to a spokesperson.