What's Next For NYC After Teacher COVID Vaccine Mandate

NEW YORK CITY — A stricter coronavirus vaccine mandate for New York City public school staff could pave the way for a wider requirement covering all city employees.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday likened the adoption of ever-more-sweeping mandate to "climbing the ladder" in the fight against the delta variant.

“Every option is on the table and we keep implementing additional steps at the point we believe it makes sense to do that,” he said. “In terms of the rest of our employees, we’re looking at that right now.”

More sweeping vaccination mandates by companies, universities and local governments are likely nationwide after the FDA gave full approval to the Pfizer vaccine.

New York City has been at the forefront of vaccination mandates. Cities like San Francisco and New Orleans have adopted similar proof of vaccination requirements for indoor dining, entertainment and gyms.

And Americans appear increasingly on board with strict vaccination measures. Close to 6 in 10 people surveyed favor requiring people to be fully vaccinated to travel on airplanes or attend crowded public events, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

De Blasio has signaled that wider vaccination mandates are on the table, but he drew the line at one for students.

“Right now, that is not on the table,” he said.

Instead, city and school officials plan to "move heaven and earth" to encourage — not require — students 12 years old and up to get vaccinated, de Blasio said. He said they'll likely do the same for students 5 years old and up, assuming federal authorization for that group goes through.

Teachers, principals and other school staff will move toward 100 percent vaccination once the Sept. 27 mandate takes effect, he said.