NYC vaccine mandate for teachers overcomes latest legal challenge

The New York City COVID-19 vaccine mandate for teachers overcame its latest legal challenge on Tuesday after its implementation on Monday.

A request by multiple teachers and other employees to temporarily block the teacher vaccine mandate was denied by U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil who said she couldn’t risk children’s lives to block the mandate, The Associated Press reported. 

She can not “ignore the harm that could take place if the schoolchildren were exposed to the risk of COVID.”

“If the harm happens, it’s a harm that cannot be undone,” she added.

Vyskocil said that along with the harm it could cause children, the lawsuit did not hold up the irreparable harm, likelihood of success or public interest requirements. 

The mandate for teachers to have at least one shot of the vaccine was put into place Monday, with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) saying 95 percent of school employees complied with the mandates.

“Look, here’s my message to all of the mayors of America, here’s my message to all of the governors of America: Put these mandates in place. Put these incentives in place,” he said. “They work. Do it now. Save lives and ultimately save this country from a longer crisis that could hold us down for months or even years.”

Protesters went out Monday to protest the mandate, tearing down a COVID-19 testing site during the demonstration.