The deadline for Massachusetts state workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is quickly approaching, with some sectors preparing for employees to potentially walk off the job rather than receive the dose.

State Representative Dr. Jon Santiago and Dr. Benjamin Linas, professor of medicine and epidemiology at Boston University’s School of Medicine and Public Health, joined Jim Braude on Greater Boston to discuss efforts to get more residents vaccinated.

Linas said all healthcare workers need to be vaccinated, but practically, potential layoffs and staff shortages complicate vaccine mandates. “Vaccine mandates are absolutely ethical and appropriate in a healthcare setting,” he said. “As a policy question, is it the right way to go? I think that’s a much trickier question… as a practical matter it can be challenging.”

WATCH: Are Vaccine Mandates A Practical Solution For Healthcare Workers?