Religious exemptions against COVID-19 vaccine mandate end Monday for health care workers in New York State

FILE-Medical staff prepares a syringe from a vial of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine during preparations at the vaccine center in Ebersberg near Munich, Germany, Monday, March 22, 2021. AstraZeneca said Thursday that it is withdrawing its application for approval of its COVID-19 vaccine in Switzerland because the country’s medical regulator wanted to restrict its use to people over 50. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, FILE)

by: James Battaglia

Posted: Nov 16, 2021 / 07:32 PM EST

Updated: Nov 17, 2021 / 10:34 AM EST

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Health care workers granted religious exemptions to New York State’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate have until Monday to get their first dose, or risk losing their jobs.

The New York State Department of Health sent notice to health care providers across the state Monday, saying employees must have “documentation of either a first dose COVID-19 vaccination or a valid medical exemption” to continue working unvaccinated.

When the mandate was first issued, 17 healthcare professionals filed a lawsuit against the state because it did not include the option of a religious exemption. A federal judge in Utica ruled in favor of the mandate in October.