COVID News: Vaccine mandates take place across the country

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Vaccine mandates are taking effect across the country.

In Connecticut, the National Guard is standing by to fill any critical shortages, as a mandate for state employees takes effect.

And in California, the governor taking a first in the nation step-mandating the shot for all public school students.

Dr. Anthony Fauci says vaccine mandates are nothing new.

"We have made it a requirement for children to get into schools to get different types of vaccines," Fauci said. "So, when people treat this as something novel and terrible, it isn't."

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Here are more of today's COVID-19 headlines:

Northwell fires unvaccinated employees

New York State's largest health care system, Northwell Health, says it has officially fired 1,400 unvaccinated employees.

The vaccine mandate for state health care workers took effect last week. Northwell says its remaining workforce is 100% vaccinated.

Southwest joins other US airlines in requiring employee vaccinations

Southwest joins United, American, JetBlue, and Alaska by requiring their employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a result of the federal vaccine mandate.

A company statement said:

"Employees of Southwest Airlines must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or be approved for a religious, medical, or disability accommodation, by Dec. 8, 2021 to continue employment with the airline."

95% of full-time NYC Education Department staff vaccinated

On the first day of school after New York City's vaccine mandate for school workers went into effect, 95% of full-time Department of Education staff have been vaccinated, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. To date, the city has administered approximately 11.5 million doses of coronavirus vaccine, the mayor said.

Alaska allows hospitals to ration care amid COVID spike

Alaska on Saturday activated emergency crisis protocols that allow 20 medical facilities to ration care if needed as the state recorded the nation's worst COVID-19 diagnosis rates in recent days, straining the state's limited health care system.

The declaration covers three facilities that had already announced emergency protocols, including the state's largest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. The state's declaration also includes the other two hospitals in Anchorage and facilities across the nation's largest but sparsely populated state.

Key dates for booster shots and vaccines for kids

The Food and Drug Administration has announced three important October dates regarding booster shots and COVID-19 vaccines for kids.

On October 14, an advisory panel will discuss Moderna's request for booster shots for people ages 18 and older.

The next day, on October 15, the panel will discuss whether those who got the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine need a booster. The panel will also consider whether Americans should mix and match vaccines.

And on October 26, the panel will discuss Pfizer's data on its vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.

Supreme Court justice denies injunction on NYC school vaccine mandate

The deadline has passed for unvaccinated New York City public school employees to get their first dose of the COVID-19 shot or face suspension and possible termination, after Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor declined to provide a last minute reprieve Friday. Sotomayor denied the request by a group of teachers for an emergency injunction. She did not issue any explanation or statement, and she did not refer the matter to the full court for a vote.

New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus

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