NYC Ends COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for City Employees

A healthcare worker administers a shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to a woman at a pop-up vaccination site operated by SOMOS Community Care during the pandemic in Manhattan in New York City, on Jan. 29, 2021. Mike Segar/Reuters

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.

“With more than 96 percent of city workers and more than 80 percent of New Yorkers having received their primary COVID-19 series and more tools readily available to keep us healthy, this is the right moment for this decision,” Adams, a Democrat, said in a statement.