New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday (Fe.b 18) suddenly scrapped a controversial state mandate that would have required all healthcare workers to get a COVID-19 booster shot by Monday (Feb. 21), citing the urgent need to avoid worsening severe staff shortages.
The state health council had approved the emergency edict last month, despite complaints from nursing home industry officials that the mandate would worsen an already severe staffing shortage at many facilities by triggering firings.
“We support staffers getting boosted but now is not the time to lay off workers,” said James Clyne, CEO of LeadingAge New York, a non-profit organization that represents many of the state’s 611 nursing facilities.