New York State Department of Health Highlights Healthcare Workforce Booster Progress and Announces Additional Efforts To Bring Boosters Directly To Healthcare Workers
75% of Healthcare Workforce Have Received or Are Willing to Receive Booster, According to Data Reported to State
Efforts Will Focus on Expanding Access to Boosters for Healthcare Workers
To Avoid Potential Staffing Issues and Allow for More Time to Get Boosted, Enforcement of Healthcare Worker Booster Requirement Will No Longer Go Into Effect on February 21
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 18, 2022) - The New York State Department of Health today 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 facilitiesto 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.
"The vaccine and booster are critical tools to keep both healthcare workers and their patients safe, and we continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated and receive a booster dose when eligible,"said State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "While we are making progress with 75% of staff received or are willing to receive their booster, the reality is that not enough healthcare workers will be boosted by next week's requirement in order to avoid substantial staffing issues in our already overstressed healthcare system. That is why we are announcing additional efforts to work closely with healthcare facilities and ensure that our healthcare workforce is up to date on their doses."
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 monthswhether 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.
See below a healthcare workforce booster summary as of February 15, 2022:
| Received Booster | Willing and Awaiting Booster | Total | As a % of Total Staff | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | 278,164 | 154,598 | 432,762 | 84% |
| Nursing Homes | 62,540 | 12,536 | 75,076 | 51% |
| Adult Care Facilities | 14,548 | 4,359 | 18,907 | 63% |
| LHCSAs(Home Care) | 83,341 | 106,292 | 189,633 | 70% |
| Hospice | 3,719 | 2,088 | 5,807 | 95% |
| CHHAs(Home Care) | 6,680 | 4,646 | 11,326 | 84% |
| Total | 448,992 | 284,519 | 733,511 | 75% |
| Received Booster | Willing and Awaiting Booster | Total | As a % of Total Direct Care Staff | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | 188,732 | 119,565 | 308,297 | 88% |
| Nursing Homes | 39,621 | 8,574 | 48,195 | 51% |
| Adult Care Facilities | 6,888 | 2,491 | 9,379 | 62% |
| LHCSAs(Home Care) | 75,583 | 96,695 | 172,278 | 68% |
| Hospice | 2,627 | 1,419 | 4,046 | 91% |
| CHHAs(Home Care) | 5,205 | 3,594 | 8,799 | 85% |
| Total | 318,656 | 232,338 | 550,994 | 76% |
