It would seem almost impossible but even in one of the richest and most organized states in America, that of New York, there could soon be a shortage of staff to initiate the obligation of new vaccinations for all health professionals.
A gap that could also require a request for help from the National Guard.
Governor Kathy Hochul said in this regard that “We are still fighting COVID-19 to protect our loved ones and we must fight by any means we have. This could mean declaring a state of emergency to allow non-New York health workers, recent college graduates, and even retirees to practice in the state. We are also thinking about employing medically trained members of the National Guard to create assistance teams in the event of a health system blackout. In any case, there is no “excuse” for workers who refuse to be vaccinated. “
As for workers made redundant because no vax, they will not be entitled to any unemployment insurance coverage.
Healthcare workers in New York hospitals and nursing homes will need to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Monday. While the staff of other institutions, including home care, nursing and retirement homes will have to be vaccinated by 7 October.
On the subject of vaccinations, the state has done a lot but not yet enough, according to official data: 84% of all hospital employees were fully vaccinated. 81% of all adult care facility staff and 77% of nursing home staff were fully vaccinated. But across the state, the problem of staff shortages is making itself felt.
No vax health workers are now all appealing for religious exemption, at least until October 12, when a federal judge will consider a legal appeal.
In any case, all the hospitals in the state are asking their employees to get vaccinated but are also preparing for immediate dismissals in case they do not want to comply with the request.
Northwell Health, the state’s largest health care provider, has been trying to convince staff that in large numbers are still many wary.
Buffalo’s Erie County Medical Center Corporation has already predicted that 10% of its workforce (around 400 workers) may not be vaccinated by Monday. And the facility is ready to suspend regular surgeries, reduce outpatient hours, and temporarily stop admission to the ICU.
Lewis County General Hospital in Lowville, New York, also said it suspended maternity services starting this weekend because dozens of staff resigned rather than get vaccinated.
Unvaccinated employees at 11 New York City public hospitals will be put on unpaid leave but could return to work if they get vaccinated.
But also other states, primarily California, have imposed the obligation of vaccination on health personnel.
President Biden announced earlier this month that the 17 million health care workers who have Medicare or Medicaid health care will need to be vaccinated or tested on a regular basis.
And now politics is anxiously awaiting to understand how severe the shortage of health care workers in public hospitals will be and how many no vaxes who work in the health care world will be able to step on the “Hippocratic oath”.