NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday that the city will end its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers, as well as the vaccine requirement for visitors to public schools.
New York City also announced that visitors to DOE school buildings will no longer be required to provide proof of at least one dose of the vaccine. Additionally, the city will end the vaccination requirements for nonpublic schools, early child care and daycare staff.
The mayor's office said it will now make vaccination optional for current and prospective New York City workers, as well as Department of Education employees, beginning Friday, Feb. 10, following the expected ratification at the next Board of Health meeting.
Nearly all public sector workers in the city — 96% of them — are fully vaccinated, according to City Hall.
"City workers stepped up tremendously throughout the pandemic," Adams said. "From our health care frontline workers and first responders who saved lives, to the city employees who kept our streets clean, our schools open, and our streets safe, we owe city workers a debt of gratitude for their service during New York City's darkest days."
The mayor's office said Monday that with the "vast majority" vaccinated, there are now "more tools readily available to protect people from serious illness."
"The vaccine requirement for the primary series of shots has served its purpose, driving rates of vaccination up among the city’s workforce during a critical period in the pandemic," the office added.
The decision comes after dozens of city workers who were fired for failing to comply with the mandate filed a $250 million lawsuit last month to overturn the policy.
"While the approximately 1,780 former employees terminated for failing to submit proof of vaccination will not be able to automatically return to their previous positions, they will be able to apply for positions with their former agencies through existing city rules and regulations and hiring processes," the mayor's office said.
The public sector vaccine mandate was first announced by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in December 2021.
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