On Sept. 27, 2021, a federal panel of judges issued an early ruling giving the DOE the green light to begin enforcing its vaccine mandate for staff.

In response, UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement: 

The courts have cleared the way for the city to begin enforcing the city’s vaccine mandate for school employees. The city’s estimate is that 97% of the teachers have been vaccinated, but according to our recent survey of UFT chapter leaders, only about one-third believe that as of now their schools can open without disruption, given the potential shortage of unvaccinated personnel, including school aides and security personnel. The city has a lot of work before it to ensure that enough vaccinated staff will be available by the new deadline.

We will be working with our members to ensure, as far as possible, that our schools can open safely as the vaccine mandate is enforced.