HARRISBURG — The number of vaccinated state prison employees has risen in the two months since Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf mandated vaccines or weekly testing, a policy prison guards unsuccessfully challenged in court.

The Corrections Department said Friday more than 6,700 workers have been vaccinated, about 43% of the total, an increase from 3,600 in early August. The number not vaccinated has fallen from 12,300 to 9,100.

Last week, a Commonwealth Court judge threw out a lawsuit by the prison guards’ union that sought to stop the policy unless inmates, visitors and outside vendors are also subject to the requirement.

Wolf ordered about 25,000 employees of prisons and state health care and congregate care facilities to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or take weekly tests for the virus. Along with prisons, it applies to state hospitals, veterans’ homes, community health centers and homes for those with intellectual disabilities.

The Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association objected, calling the policy a slap in the face. They sued, asking Commonwealth Court to stop the policy, but on Sept. 28, Commonwealth Court Judge Michael Wojcik dismissed the case, citing the government’s sovereign immunity.

The prison system only permits visitors for inmates who are vaccinated, although the visitors are not required to have a vaccine or to be tested.