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Report: 43% of NYPD personnel have gotten vaccines from the department

The number does not include personnel who may have gotten vaccinated elsewhere

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Photo/Delaware Division of Public Health

By Michael O’Brien
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.

NEW YORK — In a statement on Wednesday, the NYPD confirmed that 43% of its service members have received the vaccine against COVID-19 from the department itself, according to a report.

NBC New York reported that this figure represents the percentage of service members who have received a vaccination from NYPD resources, meaning that the total number of vaccinated service members, including those who have been vaccinated outside of NYPD provisions, is not yet known.

“Since vaccines became available we have encouraged our employees, especially those who have contact with the public, to get vaccinated,” the department said.

However, the NYPD made it clear that vaccines have not become mandatory for employees; “While we have stopped short of compelling uniformed officers to be vaccinated by rule — which would likely face lengthy legal challenges — we have focused our efforts on strong education and encouragement,” the NYPD said.

[READ: Can public safety employers mandate COVID vaccination?]

More than 11,000 members of the NYPD have contracted COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to the department.

“Upwards of 11,000 members of the NYPD have been infected with COVID-19 and statistically have a far lower likelihood of re-contracting the disease. That said, our newest internal messaging focuses on addressing rumors, misinformation and concerns with vaccination,” the NYPD said in its statement.

[POLICE1 SURVEY RESULTS: Would you consider resigning if your agency issued a COVID vaccine mandate for officers?]

(c)2021 Staten Island Advance, N.Y.

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