Monday is the deadline for health care workers in New York to be vaccinated or lose their jobs. That includes those who once had religious exemptions.

A state mandate called on workers to get their first vaccine dose by November 22. The state sent a letter to health systems last week notifying them of Monday's deadline. Anyone who does not comply with the mandate could face termination. Valid medical exemptions are still allowed.

The religious exemption issue was recently taken up by the court system. It was rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Governor Kathy Hochul has previously said the state is prepared to handle any staff shortages as a result of the requirement.

Health systems in Buffalo and Rochester are both complying with the mandate.

University of Rochester Medical Center said exceptions would be made for remote health care workers. But all URMC staff with direct clinical roles needed to get a vaccine dose by midnight Sunday. Rochester Regional Health has stated that it will now no longer accept religious vaccination exemptions for health care workers.

Kaleida Health in Buffalo sent out an email to employees saying its internal deadline is December 5 for the first dose of the vaccine and the vaccination series must be complete by January 4. If employees want to apply for a medical exemption, they have until Monday, November 29.