NEW YORK – More than 26,000 of New York City’s municipal workers remain unvaccinated after the deadline to show proof that they received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, said the town on Saturday.
However, the vaccination rate increased to 83% among police officers, firefighters, garbage collectors and other city workers covered by the mandate that began at 8:00 pm on Friday. This compared to 76% the day before.
Workers who have not met the requirement will be put on leave without pay starting Monday, leaving the Big Apple with the possibility of closed fire stations, fewer police and ambulances and accumulated garbage.
Vaccination rates for the city’s Fire and Sanitation Departments jumped significantly on Friday as workers scrambled to meet the mandate deadline and an added incentive: Workers who get vaccinated by Friday would receive $ 500. .
The Fire Department’s rate rose 8% and the Sanitation Department saw an additional 10% of its staff get vaccinated on Friday, according to city data. The Fire and Sanitation Departments each have 23% of their personnel who have not yet been vaccinated.
The New York City Police had a 5% increase in vaccination on Friday and there are still 16% of police personnel who have not received any doses.
City officials have been weighing various contingencies to deal with a staff shortage scheduled for Monday.
The Fire Department said it was prepared to shut down up to 20% of its fire companies and have 20% fewer ambulances on duty while changing schedules, canceling vacations and turning to outside providers of paramedics to compensate for the anticipated staff shortage.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the Sanitation Department will switch to 12-hour shifts, as opposed to the usual 8-hour shifts, and will begin work on Sundays to ensure garbage does not accumulate.
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