What to watch after Philly delays vaccine mandate for city employees

Philadelphia has delayed its vaccine mandate for city employees to Jan. 24.

Catch up quick: The city announced in November that all 22,000 unionized employees would soon be required to show proof of vaccination or get an exemption for religious or medical reasons.

• The deadline was originally scheduled for last Friday.

Of note: Employees that fail to meet the requirements will be put on administrative leave for 15 days.

• If they don't do so by the end of that period, they will be fired.

Between the lines: The deadline was pushed back as the Kenney administration remains in arbitration proceedings with city unions over the vaccine mandate, including the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5.

• The city already has reached an agreement with unions DC33 and DC47.
• The Kenney administration did not rule out more delays around implementing the mandate in the future.

Zoom out: The police and fire departments both have vaccination rates between 61%-70%, which are some of the lowest among city departments.

What they're saying: Mike Neilon, a spokesperson for the police union, declined to comment, saying, "We have nothing further to add on the vaccine front."