St. Joseph's Health Hospital in Syracuse will require all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, its parent company Trinity Health announced Thursday.

The vaccine requirement extends to all of Trinity Health's more than 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide, including the almost 4,200 locally. The company says nearly 80 percent of St. Joseph's employees have already been vaccinated.

Most locations will require employees to submit proof of vaccination by September 21. Exemptions will be available for religious or health reasons. However, employees who do not meet the criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will face termination.