Updated 10/23/2009 08:52 AM
Vaccine Mandate Shelved Over Supply Concerns
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The New York State Department of Health announced plans Thursday to back off on a controversial mandate that all healthcare workers receive the H1N1 flu vaccine.
Officials say there is not enough supply to go around.
They say only 23 percent of the doses originally expected will arrive by the end of October.
State Health Commissioner Richard Daines says the limited supply should be used for people who are most at risk of serious illness or death, including pregnant women and young people between the ages of six months and 24 years.
The state had set a November 30th deadline for health care workers to receive the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines or risk losing their jobs, an unpopular plan with many workers.
A Dutchess County nurse filed a restraining order to block the health department's mandate earlier this month.
Last Friday, an Albany judge ordered the state to temporarily hold off on the mandate.
The judge's ruling is pending a hearing set for October 30.