The Adams administration announced Monday that 1,430 city workers were fired on Friday for failing to comply with New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
In total, the number of terminated employees represents less than 1% of the city’s workforce, which amounts to more than 370,000 workers.
The Department of Education saw the most employees terminated, with 914, followed by the New York City Housing Authority, with 101.
The vaccine mandate, first introduced by Mayor Eric Adams’ predecessor Bill de Blasio in October of 2021, required city workers to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Feb. 11.
Of the 1,430 city workers dismissed due to the mandate last week, 1,428 had been on unpaid leave for several months, officials said.
Only two city workers who were recently hired — and were required to be fully vaccinated against COVID come Feb. 11 — were fired.
“Out of all the new city employees who received notices two weeks ago, only two who worked last week are no longer employed by the city,” Adams said, in part, in a statement Monday. “I’m grateful to all the city workers who continue to serve New Yorkers and ‘Get Stuff Done’ for the greatest city in the world.”
Additionally, city officials said 40% of city workers who were previously on unpaid leave for failing to comply with the vaccine mandate returned to work this week, after showing proof of vaccination against COVID.