More than 2,000 New York City firefighters out sick as vaccine mandate takes effect

Roughly 2,300 members of the New York City Fire Department claimed they were sick and didn't show up to work on Monday as the city's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for municipal workers went into effect. 

All city workers were required to have received at least one dose of the vaccine by October 29. City leaders suspect many of those who didn't roll up their sleeves feigned illness to avoid being disciplined for failing to comply with the health requirement. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said last month that workers who didn't get at least their first shot by the deadline would be placed on unpaid leave.

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said on Monday that firefighters had plenty of time to get vaccinated, and he implored those who have yet to get jabbed to get their shots so they can return to work. Normally, on any given day fewer than 1,000 department member would be out sick, he said. The FDNY employs about 11,000 uniformed workers.