Urge Elected Officials and DOH to Reconsider COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

If not for the chronic staffing shortages facing long term care providers, LeadingAge NY would wholeheartedly endorse a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. However, our members are confronting the most challenging workforce shortages in memory, and this mandate is expected to result in avoidable staff departures and additional obstacles in quality staff recruitment and retention. Members are encouraged to contact their lawmakers and the Department of Health (DOH) here, urging them to reconsider the proposed emergency regulation mandating COVID-19 vaccination of health care personnel. The State must do more to support the recruitment and retention of staff by long term care and post-acute providers. It cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the needs of vulnerable older adults and the staffing needs of facilities, programs, and home care agencies.

Thank you in advance for your advocacy.