New York now requiring COVID-19 boosters for healthcare workers

Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in the state of New York, and in response, Governor Kathy Hochul said late last week that healthcare workers would be required to get a booster shot, a mandate that's pending approval from the New York Public Health and Health Planning Council.

According to comments made by Hochul at a recent press conference, hospitalizations in the state stand at nearly 11,600, and statewide deaths continue to rise, with 155 deaths reported in one day last week.

"And you see the trends heading upwards, but this is usually a lagging indicator," she said. "This follows the upward trajectory we had in the number of cases, and hospitalizations always lag behind."

One of the few silver linings is that hospitalizations in the state have remained fairly steady, an indication that the New York healthcare system is currently able to handle the capacity. This, according to Hochul, is partly attributable to the booster shots, as it's been rare to see someone admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 when they've had a third shot.

And while staffing has been tight, the Omicron variant appears to be less severe than other variants, such as Delta, meaning hospital staff are coming back to work in increasing numbers, coming close to a sort of workable equilibrium.

The required booster shots are designed to maintain this equilibrium and keep staff healthy – which, according to the mandate, means no exemptions other than a medical exemption and no test-out options.

"So, we're the first state in the nation to institute this because this has been such an important priority," said Hochul. "You've already seen what's been happening in our healthcare environment. Staff is getting sick. They're leaving. We need them to get well; we need them to have the best fortification they possibly can. And that means getting a booster shot as well."

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

The new mandate comes months after Hochul issued an executive order declaring a statewide disaster emergency due to healthcare staffing shortages.

New York State's COVID-19 vaccination mandate went into effect in September and reportedly prompted thousands of healthcare workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the governor's office, 84% of hospital staff in New York were fully vaccinated as of this past autumn.

THE LARGER TREND

Across the world, large-scale COVID-19 vaccination campaigns are helping control the spread of the virus. But even in countries with high vaccination rates, breakthrough infections can occur, which scientists think is due to a gradual loss of immunity over time.

Protection against COVID-19 infection following inoculation from the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine begins to gradually wane over time, particularly 90 days after receiving the second dose, strengthening the case for booster shots, according to recent findings published in The BMJ.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized booster shots of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for all adults ages 18 and older in November. And this month, it authorized Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 booster shots for children 12 to 15 years old.

Additionally, the FDA shortened the time between the completion of primary vaccination of the Pfizer offering and a booster dose to at least five months. The new guidance also allows for a third primary series dose for certain immunocompromised children 5 through 11 years old.

The agency has determined that the protective health benefits of a single booster dose of the Pfizer shot outweigh the potential risks in those who fall under that age group. The boosters, according to the FDA, provide continued protection against COVID-19 and the associated consequences that may occur, such as hospitalization and death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended the booster shots for all adults.
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com