NewYork-Presbyterian To Require Staff To Get Coronavirus Vaccine

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — NewYork-Presbyterian, which has hospitals in Cortlandt Manor, Bronxville and White Plains, will be requiring all its staff to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In a letter sent Friday to all employees, Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and CEO, and Dr. Laura L. Forese, executive vice president and COO, said the requirement will continue to prevent hospitalizations, death and the spread of COVID-19.

"During the past year, we all witnessed the most severe global health crisis in a century," the letter to employees said. "You worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to bring our patients and communities through it.

"Now, thanks to the advent of effective COVID-19 vaccines, we can look forward with hope and relief for the first time in over a year," Corwin and Forese said. "There is, however, one more important action we all must take: get vaccinated."

The doctors stressed that the stakes were high and the evidence is clear that getting the coronavirus vaccine is "the most important and responsible action we can take as NYP team members for the safety and well-being of our patients and visitors, our communities and ourselves."

NewYork-Presbyterian will be requiring all employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus or obtain a valid exemption. The first dose of the vaccine must have been received no later than Sept. 1. Two-dose vaccines must be completed on the prescribed timeline.

The requirement applies to employees, physicians, students, clinical rotators, volunteers and vendors. Newly hired employees will also be required to follow a vaccination or exemption process.

Employees who get vaccinated outside of NewYork-Presbyterian locations will have to email a copy of the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 vaccination record card to the hospital.

If an employee cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, pregnancy or religious reasons, he or she must apply for an exemption by Aug. 1.

Hospital officials said exemption requests will be carefully evaluated and accommodated, if appropriate. Those granted an exemption will be tested frequently for the coronavirus.

Compliance — either by vaccination or exemption — will be required for continued employment, the hospital said.

Staff are already required to be vaccinated against influenza, measles, rubella and varicella.

Forums, educational materials and other resources will be shared with employees.

Hudson Valley Hospital is located in Cortlandt Manor, Lawrence Hospital is in Bronxville and Westchester County Behavioral Health Center is in White Plains.

Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.