Nursing home requiring staff COVID-19 vaccination

Rochester, New York – Kirkhaven nursing home has been COVID-free for several weeks. 70% of staff and 92% of residents in the facility have been vaccinated so far.

“I think that with vaccination and ongoing protocols, we’re going to get out of the thick of this and come out the other end and be even stronger,” said Mark Irwin, Director of Nursing at Kirkhaven.

Under Section 16 of state law, the Department of Health can require nursing homes to implement a policy mandating staff vaccinations. On Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state will require all healthcare workers to have the first dose of a COVID vaccine by September 27.

According to Leslie Silva, a partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, employees will have to get vaccinated unless they have a medical or religious exemption. “Your personal beliefs aren’t going to be enough to prevent you from getting vaccinated and keeping your job,” said Silva.

According to Karen Costner from Greece, the vaccine mandate is a good idea. She says recently four nursing home visits with her mother were canceled because a staff member tested positive. But, Costner worries staff might quit, making existing staff shortages worse.

According to a survey from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, 94% of 616 nursing homes surveyed said they’ve faced a shortage of staff members this year.

“We may have a few people here and there who might decide to leave but it’s a mandate in every health care facility right now. And of course, we don’t want to lose anyone, everyone’s precious at this critical time,” said Irwin.