SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- A COVID-19 vaccine mandate is now in effect for all New York state healthcare workers. Starting Monday morning, all healthcare workers in hospitals and long-term facilities must have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
As of last week, about 84 percent of state hospital workers are vaccinated per Governor Hochul. This means around 70,000 out of the state’s 450,000 unvaccinated workers could be out of a job tomorrow.
Upstate employees have until 5p.m. on Monday to receive their first dose. In a press conference, Governor Hochul pleaded for those unvaccinated individuals to get it.
“To those who’ve not yet made that decision, please do the right thing,” Hochul said.
In an email sent to Upstate employees, unvaccinated individuals will likely be suspended without pay until they comply with the mandate. The Department of Labor has also clarified that individuals who refuse the shot will be ineligible to collect unemployment.
Already, Upstate has temporarily closed two-thirds of their operating rooms in preparation for expected staffing shortages.
And with only 13 of their 35 operating rooms running, they’re postponing any elective surgeries. Priority will be given to necessary, time-sensitive and critical trauma cases, instead.
Governor Hochul is now looking to issue executive orders to address the shortage. If enacted, qualified and licensed professionals from other states could be sent to New York hospitals and facilities.
A handful of healthcare workers have filed against the state for not accepting religious exemptions for the vaccine.
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In anticipation of a worker shortage, Upstate has postponed all elective surgeries, and closed two-thirds of their operating rooms
© 2021 Alex King
