(WENY) — During a meeting on Thursday, the New York State Department of Health approved a vaccine mandate requiring all healthcare workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine, removing religious exemptions.

The original plan former Governor Andrew Cuomo would have allowed people to opt-out of getting the shot for religious reasons. Vanessa Murphy, attorney for New York States Department of Health said, "We're not constitutionally required to provide a religious exemption."

Staff in hospitals and nursing homes must be fully vaccinated or have their first dose by September 27th. All other facilities, including diagnostic and treatment centers, home health agencies, long-term home health care programs, school-based clinics and hospice care programs, must have at least one shot by October 7th.

According to the DOH, this emergency regulation takes effect immediately.