A state Supreme Court judge has shut down New York’s Covid vaccine mandate, blasting the order as “Orwellian” and ruling that the order is “null, void, and of no effect.”
Judge Gerard Neri ruled that Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Commissioner of Health for New York State, and the New York State Department of Health overstepped their authority by mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for NY’s healthcare workers.
Neri noted in his ruling that the vaccine mandate was not authorized by state public health law.
The court sided with a lawsuit that was brought in October and struck down the health order.
The lawsuit was filed by Medical Professionals for Informed Consent.
The judge also slammed the state for claiming that taking mRNA shots is a “public health” issue rather than a personal medical decision.
“In true Orwellian fashion, the Respondents acknowledge then-current COVID-19 shots do not prevent transmission,” Judge Neri wrote.
The New York’s Department of Health issued a statement in response to say that it is “exploring all options” moving forward.
“The requirement is a critical public health tool,” the agency said.