The draconian COVID-19 vaccine mandates that burdened New York state health care workers will disappear this fall after a protracted legal challenge against the state Department of Health. Fired workers, however, will not get their jobs back.
In a Wednesday statement, officials declared that the “changing landscape” of the pandemic and different vaccine recommendations led to the repeal. Starting in September, workers will no longer be required to receive the controversial jab.
The state action headed off what many expected to be the courts deciding that New York does not have the authority to enact such a sweeping mandate.
At the same time authorities made the new announcement, they were asking a Rochester appellate judge to dismiss a suit challenging the requirement. Approximately one million New Yorkers were required to get the vaccine.
BREAKING — NY State is Reportedly Planning to Repeal the COVID Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers
“New York health officials announced plans to repeal the state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers just minutes before an appeals court was to hear oral… pic.twitter.com/RnQibrGfeo
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) May 24, 2023
A staggering 34,000 are estimated to have lost their jobs for refusing to submit. A suit was filed by Medical Professions for Informed Consent, and in January a state Supreme Court judge tossed the regulation.
State officials filed an appeal of that decision, though the COVID-19 vaccine mandate has not been actively enforced since then. However, the rule will still be on paper due to administrative delays until at least September.
Despite a dire shortage of healthcare workers and January’s key ruling, Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul indicated that the unvaccinated former employees may not return to their positions.
Hochul, however, doubled down on her stubborn resistance. “It’s a problem, but I don’t think the answer is to have someone who comes in who is sick, be exposed to someone who can give them coronavirus, give them COVID-19.”
When pressed, Hochul claimed she “cannot put people in harm’s way” when they need medical assistance by having them cared for by someone who is unvaccinated. That stand apparently has not changed even with the pending expiration of the vaccination requirement.
So many on the left are not ready to give up the power afforded by the pandemic response.
The regulation’s repeal is still being considered for approval by the Public Health and Health Planning Council. Officials note there will be no new enforcement on the rule that is still technically on the books.
The Health Department added that medical facilities should continue their own internal policies concerning COVID-19 vaccinations.
