NEW YORK , Nine out of ten New York City municipal workers were given COVID-19 vaccines Monday due to a city mandate. Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
De Blasio tweeted Saturday night, stating that 91% had been vaccinated. This is a significant increase from the 83% reported Friday night.
A city mandate has required that all persons who have not received the vaccine at least once will be placed on unpaid leave beginning Monday. This could lead to shortages in police, fire, and EMS personnel. New York is home to more than 300,000.
The police department employs approximately 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian workers. Sunday morning’s 84% vaccination rate was reported by the police department. Sunday afternoon, the fire department stated that 80% of its employees had been vaccinated. Sunday afternoon, the fire department announced that 80% of its employees had been vaccinated. 75% of firefighters were vaccinated, 87% of EMTS, and 90% of civilian employees.
Daniel Nigro, Fire Commissioner, denied reports that firehouses were closed because of shortages.
Nigro stated that the department had not closed any firehouses Sunday morning. “Some of our members are causing danger to New Yorkers as well as their fellow firefighters by taking irresponsible sick leave.” They must return to work immediately or face the consequences of what they did.
Officials from the city have taken several measures to address Monday’s expected shortfall in staff.
According to the fire department, it is prepared to close 20% of its fire departments and have 20% less ambulances in service. It also plans to change schedules, cancel vacations, and turn to outside EMS providers to fill expected staffing shortages.
De Blasio stated that the sanitation department will shift to 12-hour shifts instead of the 8-hour shifts and will begin working Sundays to make sure trash doesn’t accumulate.
