NYC mandates COVID-19 vaccinations for all public school teachers, staff

All New York City public school teachers and staff will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the city announced Monday, shortly after the Food and Drug Administration gave final approval to the Pfizer vaccine.

Students in the country’s largest school district return to classes next month, and teachers and staff will need to have their first dose by Sept. 27. There is no alternative option for regular testing as some other districts have allowed.

Schools Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter called the policy “another layer of protection for our kids.”

Previously, teachers were subject to the same requirements as other city employees, which meant they would need to be vaccinated or face weekly testing. Currently, about 63 percent of school employees have already been vaccinated.

Labor reaction: Vaccine requirements have been a thorny issue among some labor unions and it’s unclear how the unions representing teachers and other staff will respond.

Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said during a news conference that he will start bargaining with unions immediately over the specifics to make sure it is implemented fairly and equitably.

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew in a statement said those details, like medical exemptions, may need to be worked out through arbitration if necessary.