NYC to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers

NYC to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers

FILE — A registered nurse fills a syringe with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at a pop up vaccination site in the Staten Island borough of New York, April 8. 2021. New York City officials urged as many people as possible to get COVID-19 booster shots on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, as officials around the state warned of rising numbers of infections. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Mayor Bill de Blasio says all New York City employers will have to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their workers by Dec. 27. De Blasio said Monday that the new mandate is aimed at preventing a spike in coronavirus infections during the holiday season and the colder months. He called it a “preemptive strike” to “stop the further growth of COVID.” Vaccinations are already required for city employees including teachers, police officers and firefighters, and a vaccination mandate for employees of private and religious schools was announced last week. De Blasio said he expects the new mandate to survive any legal challenges.

Photo: FILE — A registered nurse fills a syringe with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at a pop up vaccination site in the Staten Island borough of New York, April 8. 2021. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)