The health care personnel booster mandate was approved on Jan. 11^th by the Public Health and Health Planning Council and takes effect upon filing with the Department of State. DOH promised a slow roll-out that takes into account staffing shortages.

DOH notified covered providers that any personnel previously granted a religious exemption must either be vaccinated, given a medical exemption, or given a permissible religious accommodation (i.e., telework) by Nov. 22^nd. Further analysis of the CMS staff vaccination mandate revealed that it applies to board members.

CMS issued its long-awaited omnibus health care personnel COVID-19 vaccination mandate, while the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued an opinion on religious exemptions and DOH released an updated FAQ on religious exemptions.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Oct. 29^th vacated its preliminary injunction in the health care personnel vaccination mandate cases. As a result, it appears that the State's vaccination mandate can be enforced as written in the regulation – i.e., requiring vaccination of any employee who might expose patients, residents, or other personnel to COVID-19, unless they are medically exempt.