Alabama doctor refuses to treat un-vaccinated COVID patients: 'An eminently preventable disease'

In Alabama, where residents are among the lowest vaccinated across the United States, one doctor is taking a stand against his state's low vaccination rates. According to The Washington Post, Jason Valentine, a physician at Diagnostic and Medical Clinic Infirmary Health in Mobile, Ala., has made it clear he will no longer treat unvaccinated patients.

At his office, there is now a sign taped on the door that reads: "Dr. Valentine will no longer see patients that are not vaccinated against covid-19." The publication has confirmed that the policy will go into effect on October 1. Valentine recently took to social media with a post, that has now been set to private, highlighting his concerns about the conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccine.

According to AL.com, Valentine has also mailed a letter to his patients further explaining his decision. While he acknowledged that the vaccine is not a perfect tool for virus mitigation, he emphasized that it is a great prevention method.

"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 said.

"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."

As Valentine's new office policy continues to go viral on social media, he is now speaking out about his decision. During a recent radio interview, he highlighted the preventable nature of COVID deaths he's seeing among hospital patients.

"Only 12 percent of the patients who are in the hospital today are fully vaccinated," Valentine told the station. "This could have been prevented had we gotten vaccination numbers to higher levels."

Alabama is one of many states battling a surge of the Delta-variant in the southern United States.