The city stated that one in six New York City municipal workers was still unvaccinated despite a Friday deadline for proof of at least one dose.
Despite the opposition to the city's vaccine mandate, which was fuelled by rightwing politicians, media, and leading to a demonstration at City Hall this week. A last-minute rush to get jabs raised the vaccination rate to 83% among firefighters, police officers, and other city workers as of Friday, 8pm.
This was an increase of 76% from a day before.
Non-compliance with this requirement will result in workers being placed on unpaid leave beginning Monday. This could mean that the city is facing closed firehouses, reduced police presence, fewer ambulances and more trash.
As workers scrambled to meet the mandate deadline, vaccination rates for fire and sanitation departments rose significantly. There was also an incentive: Workers who received a shot before Friday could get $500.
According to data from the city, the fire department's rate increased by 8% while sanitation saw an additional 10% of staff get vaccinated. Each department has 23% unvaccinated staff.
On Friday, the NYPD saw a 5% increase in vaccinations. 16% of NYPD officers have yet to receive a vaccine.
Officials in the city have been considering contingencies for dealing with an anticipated staffing shortage.
According to the fire department, it is prepared to close 20% of its companies and keep 20% more ambulances in service. It also plans to change schedules, cancel vacations, and turn to outside EMS providers to fill expected staffing shortages.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the sanitation department will move to 12-hour shifts instead of the eight-hour shifts and will begin working Sundays to remove trash from the streets.
