Public health workers have been on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic from the start. Initially providing testing for people infected, or believed to be infected by the virus. Then, the work shifted to a hybrid of testing — and vaccine clinics.
Now that a vaccine mandate has gone into effect for healthcare workers in New York — public health workers are included.
In some communities that has already become an issue. The Citizen reports that in Cayuga County — not all members of the Cayuga County Health Department have received their vaccination. “Not everyone is fully vaccinated nor has everyone started their vaccinations,” Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy said recently. Full-time, part-time, and contract workers are all required to get the vaccine.
While significant focus has been on hospitals and nursing homes, who are facing staffing shortages because of the vaccine mandate — public health entities are also subject to the same rules. This is due to state law and clinics held throughout the pandemic.
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