Increases In COVID-19 Vaccination Among NYC Municipal Employees After Implementation Of Vaccination Requirements

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy

Background:

• New York City mandated COVID-19 vaccination or testing for municipal employees in July 2021.
• The testing option was removed in November 2021, intensifying vaccination requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination mandates on vaccination uptake among NYC municipal employees.
• To assess changes in vaccination completion rates before and after the elimination of the testing alternative.

Main Methods:

• General linear regression analysis was employed to compare vaccination series completion rates.
• Data were analyzed for NYC municipal employees aged 18-64 compared to a control group of other NYC residents.
• The study period was May to December 2021, encompassing the mandate and its modifications.

Main Results:

• Vaccination rates increased significantly among municipal employees after the testing option was removed.
• The rate of change in vaccination prevalence was higher for municipal employees (slope=12.0) than the general population (slope=5.3) post-elimination.
• Mandates narrowed the vaccination gap between municipal employees and the general population, and among racial/ethnic groups, particularly for Black individuals.

Conclusions:

• Workplace vaccination requirements are effective in boosting adult vaccination rates.
• Mandates can help reduce racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination uptake.
• Policy interventions like vaccine mandates show promise for improving public health outcomes.