New York City will make COVID-19 vaccinations optional as of Feb. 10 for current and future city employees, including police officers, firefighters, and teachers, Mayor Eric Adams said on Feb. 6.
Vaccination requirements also will be lifted for nonpublic school, early child care, and day care staff, according to a statement from Adams.
“City workers stepped up tremendously throughout the pandemic,” the mayor added. “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.”
COVID-19 mandates “saved lives” and were “absolutely necessary,” NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said.
“We cannot overstate our appreciation for the millions of New Yorkers who made the necessary sacrifices to keep our city safe and save lives,” he added.
Meanwhile, the 1,780 former workers who were fired for not submitting proof of vaccination “will not be able to automatically return to their previous positions,” the city said. “They will be able to apply for positions with their former agencies through existing city rules and regulations and hiring processes.”
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which faced numerous lawsuits, was first imposed in October 2021 by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, who also set proof-of-vaccination rules on restaurants, concert venues, and other establishments. Adams in September 2022, also lifted de Blasio’s private-sector vaccine mandate, although it isn’t clear to what extent the rule was actually enforced.
Republicans praised Adams for lifting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Lawsuits
A Staten Island judge in October 2022 ordered New York City workers who were terminated to be reinstated. The city has since appealed the ruling.About a month ago, dozens of New York City workers filed a $230 million lawsuit that sought to end the city’s mandate.
Elaborating, a lawyer representing those plaintiffs stated that he believes “every single one” of his clients was treated unfairly by the city.
Also in January, a New York court struck down a statewide vaccine mandate that was imposed on health care workers, ruling that Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state’s health department overstepped their authority.
“In true Orwellian fashion, the Respondents acknowledge then-current COVID-19 shots do not prevent transmission,” Neri wrote, citing a Summary of Assessment of Public Comment that was submitted as evidence in the case.