In Rochester for Wednesday’s Constellation Brands announcement, Governor Kathy Hochul told reporters she’s not budging on the vaccine mandate for health care workers. The mandate takes effect September 27.
Hochul said she thanks all healthcare providers, doctors and nurses who are vaccinated. “To those who won’t,” she said, “we will be replacing people.” Hochul says the state has plans to replace unvaccinated workers who quit or lose their jobs over refusing to be immunized, but did not give details. She mentioned working with hospital groups that do have most of their workers vaccinated and possible getting work visas for foreign health care workers.
On Monday, unvaccinated health care workers face losing their jobs when the state’s deadline comes up.