It was unanimously voted on by the New York State Department of Health to implement for all state health care workers to get the vaccine. While doing so they also removed the religious exemption.
The exemption would have allowed workers to use a religious reason to opt out of getting the vaccine.
This will no longer be an option at all.
Vanessa Murphy, a DOH attorney said they are not constitutionally obligated to provide a religious exemption, which is also the case for the Measles and Mumps vaccine.
Nursing homes and hospitals have until Sept. 27 to have all employees fully vaccinated, and all other facilities have until Oct. 7.
This will be in effect for 90 days before it’s either renewed or expires.
Enforcement and compliance will be at the facility level for employees that choose not to get the vaccine.
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