URMC says more guidance needed on lifting of religious exemptions to state’s vaccine mandate

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Local health systems are still waiting to hear when unvaccinated workers need to comply with the vaccine mandate.

On Friday, a judge sided with New York State, lifting religious exemptions to the state’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers

The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) told News10NBC Monday that it feels it needs more guidance.

More than 20,000 UR Medicine workers were vaccinated before the Sept. 27 mandate took effect, and hundreds of workers have continued to work under the exemption.

In a statement sent to News10NBC Monday, URMC said, in part: “we continue to provide education and answer questions about the vaccines, and are hopeful the small percentage of employees currently working under a religious exemption will also choose to become vaccinated.”