Oct 30, 2021 - Health

Over 26K NYC workers remain unvaccinated after Friday deadline

Kierra Frazier

NYPD officers monitor a crime scene in the 73th precinct in the Brownsville neighborhood in the Brooklyn borough — Photo: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Over 26,000 New York City municipal workers are unvaccinated after a Friday deadline to have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, AP reports.

Driving the news: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expanded a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Oct. 20 that covers all of the city's public employees, including police officers and firefighters. Nearly 46,000 unvaccinated employees needed to receive one dose by Friday.

By the numbers: The mandate boosted the vaccination rate among city employees from 71% to 83% as of 8 p.m. Friday, AP reports.

The New York Police Department had a 5% jump in vaccinations, leaving 16% of police officers unvaccinated, per AP.
The fire department's vaccination rate rose 8%, while the sanitation department had an additional 10% of its staff get vaccinated, per AP. Both departments separately have 23% of their staffs unvaccinated.

Of note: Workers who refuse to comply with the requirement will be put on unpaid leave starting Monday.

The fire department is preparing to close 20% of its fire companies and have 20% fewer ambulances in service due to staffing shortages, AP reports.

Go deeper: New York City announces COVID vaccine mandate for all public workers

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Over 26K NYC workers remain unvaccinated after Friday deadline

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