Healthcare workers in New York required to get Covid vaccine
All healthcare workers in New York State, including staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCF) will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by 27 September
The State Department of Health is requiring all hospital, LTCF, and nursing homes to develop and implement a policy mandating employee vaccination, with limited exceptions for those with religious or medical reasons. To date, 75 per cent of the state's 450,000 hospital workers, 74 per cent of the state's 30,000 adult care facility workers, and 68 per cent of the state's 145,500 nursing home workers have completed their vaccine series.
"When Covid ambushed New York last year, New Yorkers acted, while the Federal Government denied the problem," exiting New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “Our healthcare heroes led the battle against the virus, and now we need them to lead the battle between the variant and the vaccine.
“I have strongly urged private businesses to implement vaccinated-only admission policies, and school districts to mandate vaccinations for teachers. Neither will occur without the state legally mandating the actions – private businesses will not enforce a vaccine mandate unless it's the law, and local school districts will be hesitant to make these challenging decisions without legal direction."
Third dose for vulnerable in New York
Governor Cuomo also announced that the Department of Health has authorized a third Covid-19 vaccine dose for New Yorkers with compromised immune systems, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation last week. Eligible New Yorkers can receive their third dose 28 days after the completion of their two-dose vaccine series, effective immediately.
Meanwhile, New York City’s destination marketing organisation NYC & Company is hosting its first virtual sales mission for the travel trade in the UK and Ireland since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.