Sotomayor vaccine mandate supreme court
© AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, FileJustice Sonia Sotomayor rejected the request on October 1, 2021 and the city will begin enforcing the mandate on October 4, 2021.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has rejected a push to block the city's vaccination mandate for all Department of Education employees.

In an 11th-hour bid, four city teachers opposed to the jab requirement petitioned the Bronx-born jurist to intervene on Thursday.

But Sotomayor rejected their request Friday afternoon and cleared the way for the city to enforce the mandate beginning Monday.

nyc teachers protest vaccine mandate
© AP Photo/Mary AltafferNew York teachers hold a rally against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which would require them to get vaccinated in order to teach in person.
The city has argued that the requirement will safeguard against coronavirus outbreaks and curb school disruptions.

Objectors asserted that the mandate infringed on their rights.

Teachers and other DOE staff who decline the vaccine can either take a year off without pay or exit the department with a severance package.