The New York City fire commissioner, Daniel Nigro, on Sunday slammed firefighters who took paid sick leave in advance of a Friday deadline to receive at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine, raising the prospect of staffing shortages from Monday.
“The department has not closed any firehouses,” Nigro said. “Irresponsible bogus sick leave by some of our members is creating a danger for New Yorkers and their fellow firefighters. They need to return to work or risk the consequences of their actions.”
Opposition to vaccine mandates fueled by rightwing politicians and media figures led to protests in New York this week, with firefighters and police officers prominent in crowds at City Hall and Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor.
Fire officials previously said they were prepared to close up to 20% of fire companies and see 20% fewer ambulances in operation. The department also planned to change schedules, cancel vacations and seek non-fire department emergency medical service providers.
City data indicated that 78% of fire department workers had at least one dose by Saturday. NBC New York reported that “more than 2,000 firefighters are on medical leave, in apparent response to vaccine mandate”.
Officials said 9% of the whole municipal workforce remained unvaccinated after the Friday deadline.
But the percentage of workers with at least one dose rose considerably as the deadline loomed. On Saturday night, authorities said 91% of city workers had received at least one dose, up from 83% on Friday and 76% on Thursday.
Workers who did not abide by the requirement were due to be placed on unpaid leave from Monday, potentially spurring staffing shortages across departments.
The police vaccination rate stood at 84%, officials said. Asked about the plan for dealing with a potential staff shortfall, an NYPD spokesman said in an email on Sunday: “We will be prepared for any changes in personnel due to the mandate.”
City data indicated that 79% of sanitation department workers had received at least one dose.
The New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio, recently said the sanitation department would implement 12-hour shifts rather than the normal eight-hour shifts, and start working on Sundays so garbage did not accumulate amid staffing shortages.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.