On March 24, 2022, Mayor Adams announced that athletes and performers would no longer be subject to a COVID vaccine mandate.

In response, a UFT spokesperson issued the following statement: 

Vaccinations are a critical tool against the spread of COVID, and the city should not create exceptions to its vaccination requirements without compelling reasons. If the rules are going to be suspended, particularly for people with influence, then the UFT and other city unions are ready to discuss how exceptions could be applied to city workers.