Thousands of health care workers in New York received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before the statewide mandatory vaccination went into effect. Employees at hospitals and nursing homes in New York had until Monday to get their first dose of the vaccine or face layoffs.
Under the new rule, hospital and nursing home workers had until Monday to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was pleased with the participation in the vaccination campaign so far.
"We are very happy to see excellent results, especially in our public health system, which has been heroic throughout the fight against Covid-19. And so far, we are doing quite well with our voluntary and private hospitals as well," he said.
De Blasio urged other health care workers to get vaccinated.
"People respond to deadlines. At the last minute, they are being vaccinated. Of course we will welcome everyone who decides to get vaccinated. Things are changing every hour." he said.
Almost 100% of nurses and doctors are fully vaccinated, said the President of the company "Health and Hospitals of New York", Dr. Mitchell Katz. His company operates public hospitals and clinics in New York City.
"Over 95% of the nurses of our hospitals and clinics have been vaccinated. Close to 98, 99% of my doctors have agreed to do the vaccine. All our facilities are open and fully operational." he said.
A therapist from New York who does not want to be vaccinated has received a temporary religious excuse. She says she is confident a judge will rule in her favor when the case is heard in October.
"My request to be exempt from the obligation to be vaccinated is based mainly on religious justification, on the fact that, as I said, I worked with patients with Covid-19 for a year and a half and did not get infected. I believe that God protected me all the time I worked in the hospital", says therapist Anna Petti.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is willing to take other actions to increase the number of health workers if necessary.
"I will sign an executive order to give me the emergency powers needed to address shortages in certain sectors. This would give me the opportunity to deploy National Guard medical personnel, to engage retired medical personnel, and to bring people here from other areas." said the governor of New York.
The new vaccination campaign follows a federal court ruling this week that New York City can make vaccination mandatory for all public school personnel. VOA
