COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Lifted For NYC Workers, Adams Announces

NEW YORK, NY — The COVID-19 vaccination mandate for city workers is no more.

Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday that the city will make vaccination optional for current and prospective city workers beginning Feb. 10.

"City workers stepped up tremendously throughout the pandemic," Adams said in a news release. "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."

Adams pointed to the fact that more than 96 percent of city workers are now fully vaccinated against COVID.

With more than 96 percent of city workers and more than 80 percent of New Yorkers having received their primary #COVID19 series and more tools readily available to keep us healthy, the #COVID19 Vaccination Will Become Optional for City Workers.

Read more: https://t.co/OSuNs7Deku
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 6, 2023

"More broadly, across the city, over 80 percent of New Yorkers have had their initial two shots," Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, said in the news release. "In this context, we can adjust our guidance but continue to strongly encourage every New Yorker to take the steps that we know help keep us and our loved ones safe and healthy."

The end of the vaccination mandate for city workers comes roughly three months after the Department of Health ended the workplace vaccine mandate for all private businesses.

Police Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch was quick to release a statement Monday applauding the city's decision to lift the mandate, but also questioned what would happen to the employees who lost their jobs because of their refusal to get vaccinated.

“We are glad that the City has decided to stop fighting against our court victory overturning this unjust and illogical mandate," Lynch wrote. "However, the job is only half done. We call on the City to ensure that our members who were fired or had their employment unfairly impacted are reinstated, with back pay and without condition.”

Adams specified in the Monday announcement that the roughly 1,780 former city employees who were terminated for failing to submit vaccination proof will not be automatically reinstated, but are free to apply for jobs again with their former agencies.

The city will also end the vaccination requirements for non-public school, early child care, and daycare staff.

The subsequent amendments to NYC's vaccination policy for current city employees are expected to be made at the next Board of Health meeting on Thursday.