New York City will require all private-sector employers in the city to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their workers as of Dec. 27. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.
Requirement Intended to Prevent Spike
The requirement is intended to prevent a spike in COVID-19 infections during the holiday season and colder months, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
"We in New York City have decided to use a pre-emptive strike to really do something bold to stop the further growth of COVID and the dangers it's causing to all of us," he said.
(AP)
Shots Already Required for Schools and City's Workforce
The mayor issued a requirement that took effect in October requiring shots for workers in the city's public school system. He extended that directive to cover the city's workforce—including police officers, firefighters and sanitation workers—and broadened the order to include child care workers. Employees at nonpublic schools also now must be vaccinated.
(AP)
Boosters Not Yet Required
At this point, the mayor is not requiring proof of a booster dose, which about 15 percent of vaccinated adults have received. However, de Blasio suggested that a booster requirement could be on the table at some point should the situation warrant it. "We've got omicron as a new factor. We've got the colder weather, which is going to really create additional challenges with the delta variant. We've got holiday gatherings," the mayor noted on MSNBC.
(NBC New York)
Sotomayor Declines to Block NYC Vaccination Directive
On Oct. 1, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor declined to block New York City's vaccination directive against COVID-19 for all city Department of Education employees. In a 12-page petition to Sotomayor, attorneys argued that the vaccine mandate violated teachers' rights to due process and equal protection. Four city teachers represented by the attorneys asked Sotomayor to intervene. On Oct. 1, she declined, clearing the way for the city to begin enforcement on Oct. 4.
(SHRM Online) and (Deadline)
Most City Education Employees Vaccinated
De Blasio said Oct. 4 that 95 percent of the city's education department employees had received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 96 percent of teachers and 99 percent of principals. One of the plaintiffs in the petition to Sotomayor expressed concern about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. The other plaintiffs contended they should be exempt because they have antibodies from a prior COVID-19 infection.
(New York Post) and (Reuters)