All health care workers in New York will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting Monday.

Westchester Medical Center Health Network says it doesn't anticipate issues with 94% of its staff vaccinated. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced earlier this week 84% of hospital workers and 77% of staff at nursing homes were fully vaccinated. 

Gov. Hochul said she is prepared to declare a state of emergency if a staff shortage occurs. Alternative workers would be eligible to help out in hospitals and nursing homes. These workers include licensed health care professionals in other states or even other countries, as well as retired and former health care workers.  

The governor gave other options for staffing hospitals, including medically-trained National Guard members and disaster medical assistance teams.

The mandate does not currently apply to staff who are claiming a religious exemption.