A rally occurred outside UPMC Chautauqua Tuesday evening to support health care workers who are no longer allowed to work in a medical facility because they haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine shot. P-J photos by Dennis Phillips

A chant of “My Body, My Choice” echoed through the evening air outside of UPMC Chautauqua on Tuesday as a rally occurred to support health care workers who are no longer allowed to work in a medical facility because they haven’t taken a COVID-19 vaccine shot.

The gathering was titled “Healthcare Freedom Rally” on social media before dozens of people lined Foote Avenue to support health care workers who lost their jobs on Monday when the state mandate went into effect that requires all people employed by a medical facility to be vaccinated or in the process of receiving the vaccine.

One of the health care workers attending the rally who is no longer working at UPMC Chautauqua as of Monday was Shaina Reynolds, who has been a nurse at the facility for 11 years. She was removed from the worker’s schedule in the maternity ward as of Monday morning.

“I was removed from the schedule until I get the vaccine,” she said.

Reynolds said it’s a “personal and religious” decision she has made to not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

A rally occurred outside UPMC Chautauqua Tuesday evening to support health care workers who are no longer allowed to work in a medical facility because they haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine shot. P-J photos by Dennis Phillips

“I’m standing here for the right to choose,” she said.

In her maternity ward department at UPMC Chautauqua, Reynolds said six others have been suspended for not receiving the vaccine. She called losing that many people in the department “substantial.”

Reynolds said she won’t be returning to work at UPMC Chautauqua until the state mandate is lifted.

Along with chants from those holding signs and participating in the rally, several vehicles traveling by UPMC Chautauqua honked their horn in support. Also, ambulance drivers traveling through also used their siren to show support.

Brian Durniok, UPMC Chautauqua president, said the goal is to retain all UPMC Chautauqua team members.

“We continue to monitor any governmental guidance related to local COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements where our employees live and work,” he said. “UPMC follows all current governmental requirements and will continue its COVID-19 vaccine advocacy and outreach efforts and make vaccines easily and readily available for all.”

According to The Associated Press, thousands of health care workers in New York faced either getting the COVID-19 vaccine or losing their jobs received at least one dose as the statewide mandate neared, according to state figures.

Workers at hospitals and nursing homes had until Monday to get their first vaccine dose under the new requirement, sparking fears among administrators that holdouts would create dramatic staff shortages.

Gov. Kathy Hochul released figures late Monday showing vaccination rates rising among the state’s 450,000 hospital workers and for other health care workers. The figures were released as she signed an executive order providing her with expanded powers to alleviate staff shortages.

By Monday evening, 92% of nursing home staff received at least one vaccine dose. And preliminary data showed 92% of hospital staff receiving at least one dose of vaccine, the governor said.

On Wednesday, state figures showed 84% of hospital workers were fully vaccinated.

The executive order allows out-of-state doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to practice in New York, makes it easier for retirees to return to the workforce, and allows physician visits in nursing homes to be done by telemedicine.

Also, New York state-licensed providers without current registrations will be able to practice without penalty. And the order broadens the roles of emergency medical technicians, such as allowing basic EMTs to vaccinate and test for COVID-19.

On Monday, Heritage Ministries said it lost 9% of its New York workforce leading up to Monday’s deadline. The nonprofit organization that offers rehabilitation, skilled nursing and assisted living options at several locations in Chautauqua County previously estimated that up to 100 unvaccinated employees would leave or be terminated due to the New York state mandate.

A state report stated that, as of Sept. 21, all but 3% of the UPMC Chautauqua’s staff had been vaccinated. That same report noted that 79% of staff at Westfield Memorial Hospital was vaccinated.

Late last week, the Brooks-TLC Health System in Dunkirk reported 9% — 51 of 573 workers — had yet to receive a dose of the vaccine.

Regarding skilled nursing, the state said 93% of residents and staff in Chautauqua County facilities were vaccinated as of Sunday. When it comes to adult care, the state said 94% of residents and 73% of staff were vaccinated locally.

This isn’t the first rally in Chautauqua County to support health care workers when it comes to the vaccine mandate. Last week, a rally took place outside of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville prior to the Chautauqua County Legislature’s monthly meeting.