Photo: Getty Images
An Alabama doctor said that he will no longer treat patients who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 as the Delta variant threatens to overwhelm the state's healthcare system.
According to AL.com, Dr. Jason Valentine, a physician who works at Diagnostic and Medical Clinic Infirmary Health in Mobile, Alabama, posted a sign on his office door informing patients that he would no longer treat them if they were unvaccinated.
"Effective Oct. 1, 2021, Dr. Valentine will no longer see patients that are not vaccinated against COVID-19," the sign reads.
He also shared a photo of the sign in a since-deleted Facebook post. He wrote that he could not sit back and watch as his patients suffered and die from COVID-19.
"If they asked why, I told them COVID is a miserable way to die, and I can't watch them die like that," he wrote.
He also prepared a letter that he will send to all of his patients explaining his decision.
"We do not yet have any great treatments for severe disease, but we do have great prevention with vaccines. Unfortunately, many have declined to take the vaccine, and some end up severely ill or dead. I cannot and will not force anyone to take the vaccine, but I also cannot continue to watch my patients suffer and die from an eminently preventable disease," the letter says. "Therefore, as of October 1st, 2021, I will no longer see patients that have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you wish to keep me as your physician, documentation of your vaccination will suffice. If you wish to choose another physician, we will be happy to transfer your records."
Valentine said that since he posted the sign, three patients have asked him where they can go to get vaccinated.