NY Mandate for Healthcare Worker Vaccines is Blocked Temporarily

New York State’s requirement that all healthcare workers get the COVID-19 vaccine or lose their jobs is being at least temporarily derailed in court.

A federal judge in Utica has temporarily blocked New York State from forcing medical workers to be vaccinated after a group of health care workers sued, saying their Constitutional rights were violated.

Over a dozen health professionals, including doctors and nurses, claimed the vaccine mandate violated their rights because it disallows religious exemptions.

Under the September 14 ruling by Judge David Hurd, New York State has until September 22 to respond to the lawsuit.

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The order mandating at least the first shot for healthcare workers in hospitals and nursing homes in New York State was issued on August 28^th and many providers like United Health Services and local government leaders like Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, expressed concerns that many workers who were not yet vaccinated had threated to quit or retire rather than take the mandated shot.

Garnar said he had heard of several workers at the county-run Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center looking to walk away from their careers in a move that was greatly concerning to the Democrat since, he said, there already was a severe staff shortage at the facility.

Following the September 14 ruling, the state says it's considering all legal options.