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Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco who is researching legal and policy issues related to vaccines, told ABC News that given the risks of the virus spreading in congregate settings like nursing homes and correctional facilities, it's reasonable for employers to require employees to get the vaccine.

\"People in nursing homes can't just leave, and staff is the bridge to the community, and can bring in infection,\" Reiss said. \"Residents and their families deserve to have a safe environment, and if staff would not vaccinate willingly, it's fair and ethical for employers to mandate it.\"

Vaccination encouragement

Back at Rochester Regional Health, Mayo said leadership is reviewing a possible vaccine mandate among staff, but \"no decisions have been made yet about that.\"

Since last month's outbreaks, the vaccination rates among staff across Rochester Regional Health's skilled nursing facilities have increased, from 35%-45% back in early May to 45%-60% now, Mayo said.

But, he said, it's \"still not as high as we'd like it to be.\" The goal is to have at least 80% of both residents and staff vaccinated, Mayo said.

Residents have already met that goal, he said.

Mayo thinks it's reasonable to presume that the recent outbreaks have spurred inoculations, and said that hearing from vaccinated peers has encouraged some unvaccinated staffers to get the shot. To further help reach the target, the organization has been administering the vaccine to staff members on site, and has been facilitating conversations with unvaccinated employees \"about what more the facility can do to encourage them to be vaccinated,\" according to Mayo.

\"That's been an important and large effort,\" Mayo said. \"We continue to do our utmost to overcome any apprehensions or fears about vaccination.\"

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