One day after Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) and his colleagues wrote to Governor Kathy Hochul urging an end to the COVID vaccination booster mandate on healthcare workers before a Feb. 21 deadline, the governor announced a suspension of the mandate. Stec acknowledged the governor’s decision and noted the need for state officials to continue listening to science, community stakeholders and healthcare workers when making pandemic-related decisions.  

“I’m pleased the governor listened to our healthcare workers and my Senate Republican colleagues and I by suspending the vaccine booster mandate,” Stec said. “This decision follows the science and reflects the best interests of our healthcare industry and communities. When the governor revisits this issue in 90 days, I urge her to completely rescind this mandate.”