The New York State Department of Health highlighted progress in getting healthcare workers boosted and announced additional efforts to increase booster rates among healthcare workers. According to the latest data reported to New York State by healthcare facilities, 75% of the State’s healthcare workforce have either received or are willing to receive a booster, including 88% among direct care staff in hospitals. The State will continue to work closely with hospitals and healthcare facilities to make sure employees are up to date on their vaccines. Efforts will focus on expanding access for healthcare workers to receive a booster dose, including bringing boosters directly to healthcare settings. In order to avoid potential staffing issues and give healthcare workers more time to get boosted, the State will no longer enforce the booster requirement that will go into effect on February 21. The State will reassess in three months whether additional steps need to be taken to increase booster rates among the healthcare work force. The original vaccination requirement for healthcare workers remains in effect.
