Supreme Court Declines To Hear Teachers’ Suit Against NYC Vaccine Mandate

On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to review a lawsuit brought by four New York City public school workers who were required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The challenge was against New York City Department of Education and the city’s vaccine mandate for public school employees, which lower courts already permitted to take effect as legal challenges went on. Justice Sonia Sotomayor had also reportedly declined an emergency request that the mandate be paused.

In August, Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio and other officials “announced a new health care mandate requiring all New York City Department of Education [(DOE)] employees to provide proof of first dose of vaccination by September 27th.” 

“Keeping our students and staff healthy is our top priority,” said de Blasio at the time. “To keep our schools healthy and safe, we are now requiring all Department of Education staff to have at least one dose of the vaccine by September 27. Together, we will create a safe and welcoming school experience for our kids.”

The four teachers involved in the suit were either terminated from their jobs or put on unpaid leave for declining to get vaccinated. 

In a petition to the high court filed in December, the petitioners wrote that the “public-school teachers, respectfully request the Court identify the right of public-school teachers to practice their profession,” adding that the issues brought up in the petition were of “National Significance.”  – READ MORE