New York City is first in nation to impose COVID vaccine mandate on private sector employers

Employers in New York City must require COVID-19 vaccinations for their workers under new rules announced Monday by Mayor Bill de Blasio. This is the first-of-its-kind mandate for private employees, CBS New York reports.

The vaccine mandate for private businesses will take effect December 27 and is aimed at preventing a spike in COVID-19 infections during the holiday season and the colder months, the mayor, a Democrat, said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

"We in New York City have decided to use a preemptive strike to really do something bold to stop the further growth of COVID and the dangers it's causing to all of us," de Blasio said. "All private-sector employers in New York City will be covered by this vaccine mandate as of December 27."