New York City is imposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public school teachers and staff without the ability for them to opt out.
On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said, “Today, the New York City Department of Health will be issuing an order requiring all staff in the New York City Public Schools to be vaccinated.”
“This will require that all staff of every kind, principles, teachers, custodians, food service, you name it, needs to have at least one dose by Sept. 27,” he added.
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NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announces COVID vaccine mandate for all public school teachers and staff with no option to opt-out. pic.twitter.com/lSJIfIBaWv
— The Recount (@therecount) August 23, 2021
As The New York Times notes, the mandate will affect roughly 148,000 employees and eliminates the option for teachers and staff to undergo weekly testing instead of getting the vaccine.
“Mr. de Blasio said on Monday that broad vaccine mandates for eligible students are ‘not on the table.’ On Friday, the city said that about 20,000 high school athletes who participate in high-risk sports like basketball and football will have to be vaccinated by the start of their sports seasons,” the Times added.
De Blasio’s announcement comes the same day that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full authorization to Pzifer’s Covid vaccine, as IJR reported.
Earlier this month, de Blasio announced the city would implement vaccine mandates for patrons and employees of indoor dining, fitness, entertainment, and performance establishments.
“This is a miraculous place, literally full of wonders. And if you’re vaccinated, all that’s going to open up to you, you’ll have the key you can open the door,” he said as he announced the mandate.
He added, “If you’re unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many things. That’s the point we’re trying to get across. It’s time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life.”
As of Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 51.5% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated.
