Hospitals worry ‘staff crisis’ over unvaccinated workers

LOWVILLE, New York (WWNY) – Some healthcare workers are wondering what will happen to their jobs now that the state has demanded they receive COVID-19 vaccines. Some of them just don’t want to be vaccinated and this is raising concerns about staffing levels in hospitals.

Last week, Governor Cuomo announced that all health workers in the state must receive at least the first dose of the COVID vaccine by September 27.

The problem is that some do not want to be vaccinated. Sasha Morse is one of them. She is a radiology technician with the Lewis County Health System, is 22 weeks pregnant and fears the vaccine could cause her to lose her child.

“I shouldn’t be in this position. Sorry, that makes me so emotional. I don’t think anyone should be in this position. I don’t want to lose my job, but I don’t want the possibility of losing my baby, ”Morse said.

Earlier this month, the CDC released data indicating that the vaccine is safe for pregnant women. However, Morse says she doesn’t want to take any chances.

Jake Hollis is another healthcare worker who doesn’t want to get the shot just yet, but he says that doesn’t mean they should get fired.

“I mean, for a year and a half we’ve been in the trenches. And now all of a sudden we’re not good enough, ”said

Hollis, registered respiratory therapist with Lewis County Health System.

Hollis says he would be willing to leave the state for another job if it comes down to it. An unvaccinated employee says the vaccinated crowd at the hospital shares their frustration.

“They think we should have the right to choose what we put in our bodies,” said Kara Marks, CNA, Lewis County Health System.

These three employees represent only a fraction of the worried employees. Gerald Cayer, CEO of the Lewis County Health System, said 802 employees worked for the hospital and 224 of them had not been vaccinated. He worries about what will happen if many of them leave.

“If we are to separate ourselves from these people who are not vaccinated, it’s going to take a staffing challenge and turn it into a staffing crisis,” Cayer said.

Cayer says the healthcare system received its first resignation on Monday and will do everything in its power to keep as many employees as possible.

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