NYC Department of Health ‘exploring options’ after judge revokes COVID vaccination mandate for healthcare workers

On Friday, a New York Supreme Court judge overturned a mandate that required all healthcare workers in the state to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, saying Gov. Katie Hochul and the New York State Department of Health had overstepped their authority.

In his ruling, Judge Gerard Neri said the mandate is “void, void and void” because the state cannot require health care workers to receive vaccinations that are not required by public health law, including against mumps, measles and hepatitis.

The state health department said on Saturday it was “exploring options” after the ruling.

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The lawsuit was filed by Health Professionals for Informed Consent, which included healthcare professionals who fought or lost their jobs because of the demand.

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Health care workers protest against the Covid-19 vaccination enforcement outside the New York State office building in Hauppaug, New York, on August 27, 2021.
(Photo by Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

“The state health department strongly disagrees with the judge’s decision and is exploring its options,” the agency said in a statement to the Associated Press, adding that COVID-19 powers protect patients most at risk and those who care for them.

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The New York City Department of Health did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.