A state mandate for New York health care workers requires them to get their first COVID-19 vaccine dose by Sept. 27 in order to keep working. Some workers fear this may lead to a staff shortage.

Jillian Kulesh is a registered nurse working in an emergency room who says she may be out of a job because of the vaccine mandate.

After some serious medical issues a few years ago, she has decided not to get the COVID-19 vaccine. However, her request for a medical exemption was denied Wednesday.

“My plan is to wait for a letter saying I am fired,” Kulesh says.

Northwell Health, which employs more than 77,000 people, says its vaccination rate is at 90%. The company also says 40 people have resigned since August because of the vaccine mandate, and 2,000 employees have filed religious or medical exemptions, which are being reviewed.

There is a statewide restraining order currently in place that applies to those who have applied for a religious exemption.

“Why we're concerned? It's not just about employment,” says Maxine Carrington, the chief human resources officer for Northwell Health. “We can figure things out internally, but it's the cost to the community. This is a public health crisis, and so if anyone is out there unvaccinated, they're putting their homes at risk. They're putting our communities at risk. So, we see this is broader than it just an employment issue.”

The vaccine mandate won't only affect staffing at local hospitals, but at nursing homes as well.

The numbers speak for themselves right now,” says Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York Health Facilities Association. “There are clearly not enough individuals working in long-term care, and the fear is that we will lose more as a consequence of the mandate.”