New York’s chief judge reaffirms court’s vaccine mandate

New York’s chief judge is reacting to a court decision upholding the COVID vaccine mandate for court staff.

Several unions representing court employees filed lawsuits challenging the mandate. The Supreme Court in Albany on Friday denied the union’s request to stop the mandate.

In her weekly address, Judge Janet DiFiore said nearly all judges complied with the mandate and hopes the remaining court staff will do the same.

"We recognize that Friday’s decision may not end all of the litigation surrounding this matter, but we welcome every opportunity to demonstrate that the vaccine requirement is fully within our legal powers as a responsible, appropriate and necessary response to the serious threat that COVID-19 poses to the health and safety of our workforce, and the public we serve," said DiFiore.

Court employees are able to request a medical or religious exemption to the vaccine.