New York City private school employees will be required to submit proof of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of a new city health mandate beginning Dec. 20, the mayor announced Thursday. Bill de Blasio and the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Dave A. Chokshi.
The measure, the city said, follows the CDC’s recommendations on vaccination for teachers and school personnel as soon as possible. The mandate would be for some 56,000 employees from 938 private schools in the Big Apple.
The city will work collaboratively with school leaders in the weeks leading up to the mandate’s effective date to ensure that vaccines are readily available and school operations can continue to run smoothly.
The city will also offer immunization to all schools that request it, and immunizations will be offered to eligible students as well as school personnel.
“Vaccinations are the key to our recovery and our public schools are among the safest places to be in the city. Childcare centers will now be just as safe, and it’s time to use the tools we have at our disposal, ”said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are doing everything in our power to protect our students and school staff, and a mandate for private school employees will help keep our school communities and younger New Yorkers safe.”
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