Unvaxxed NYC Students Can Go To Prom, School Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY — Bring a corsage, pick out the best dress and book a limo — but scratch "get a COVID-19 vaccination" off New York City's prom checklist.

High school students no longer will be required to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to attend prom this year, city officials announced Monday.

The decision to lift the vaccine mandate comes amid a growing spike in COVID-19 cases citywide, but officials maintained other measures — including a strong recommendation to wear a high-quality mask — can keep students safe.

"Vaccinations remain a lifesaving tool," said Ashwin Vasan, the city's health commissioner, in a statement. "Masks worn indoors continue to reduce risk of transmission. But another critical resource for health is togetherness and celebration — for which these events are so critical in the lives of young people."

The prom vaccination decision followed unfounded rumors that city officials had decided to exclude unvaccinated students from prom, the New York Post reported Sunday.

Seven Council members had written health officials to protest such a decision, which they argued ran counter to recent policies that relaxed COVID-19 mandates, according to the post.

City officials denied they made such a decision — and the announcement Monday confirmed they planned to go a more-relaxed route.

“I am thrilled that, starting this year, every one of our young people will have the chance to celebrate all of their hard work with a prom and graduation, regardless of vaccination status,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a statement.