Hochul To 'Hold Firm' On Healthcare Vax Mandate As Rates Increase

NEW YORK, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to "hold firm" on a vaccination requirement for state healthcare workers as the number of staff getting the shot surges in the days since the mandate.

The governor said Thursday that, so far, 92 percent of healthcare workers and nursing home staff have gotten at least their first dose of the vaccine, which was required at state-run facilities as of this Tuesday. As of Tuesday, 87 percent of workers were fully vaccinated, she said.

Those numbers are a jump from just a week earlier, when 84 percent of health workers were fully vaccinated, and a major spike from the 77-percent vaccination when Hochul took office.

She said Thursday the rates are likely to continue to increase.

"You will see that number go higher quickly," Hochul said. "We're finding as people are furloughed or suspended, that number is going to go up."

The vaccine mandate for healthcare workers has faced backlash from some staff and at least one lawsuit over its lack of a religious exemption. A judge has temporarily blocked the mandate for those seeking a religious exemption as the lawsuit moves through court, according to reports.

The governor has said she is confident the state will win the case.

"This is not something I’m going to deviate from — I’m going to hold firm," she said. "If you’re waiting, what are you waiting for? We’re not changing our position."

Critics have also voiced concerns about staffing shortages, which prompted Hochul to sign an executive order that will bring in workers to fill staffing gaps if needed. As of Thursday, no facilities needed the extra staff, according to the governor.