A New York State Supreme Court judge has ruled that the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers is invalid, determining that the policy is no longer enforceable.
In a decision filed this week, Justice Gerard Neri held that the vaccine mandate imposed by the New York State Department of Health is “null, void, and of no effect.” The ruling found that the Department of Health did not have the legal authority to issue such a mandate, stating that the power to impose requirements of that nature rests with the state Legislature.
The court also concluded that the mandate was “arbitrary and capricious,” citing arguments presented in the case regarding the vaccines’ impact on transmission and the rationale used to justify the policy.
The lawsuit was funded by Children’s Health Defense and brought on behalf of Medical Professionals for Informed Consent and several individual health care workers. Attorney Sujata Gibson, who served as lead counsel, said the ruling represents a significant development for workers affected by the mandate.
“This decision is a major victory for health care workers who lost their jobs or livelihoods as a result of the mandate,” Gibson said. “It also has broader implications for New Yorkers, particularly as health care systems across the state continue to face staffing shortages.”
Children’s Health Defense President Mary Holland also welcomed the ruling, calling it an important step toward reassessing vaccine mandates.
Supporters of the decision said they hope it will influence similar policies nationwide, while state officials have not yet commented on whether the ruling will be appealed or how it may affect existing health care regulations.
The decision marks one of the first major court rulings on vaccine mandates in New York State in 2023.
