Subway, Bus Worker COVID Vaccinations Remain Low: Report

New York City NY

07 May, 2021

12:57 PM

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NEW YORK CITY — Subway and bus workers suffered a devastating toll during the coronavirus pandemic, yet they haven't embraced the potentially life-saving vaccine, according to a new report. Only 37 percent of MTA's city transit, bus and Staten Island Railway workers have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, Gothamist first reported. Those transit workers saw 151 of their colleagues die from COVID-19, out of 162 total MTA deaths, Gothamist reported. It's the second recent report detailing vaccination levels in a major New York City public agency that are lower than the city as a whole. The Washington Post this week reported only 39 percent of NYPD's force has received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine. Mayor Bill de Blasio, when asked, downplayed the issue and said the city will continue outreach efforts. "Everyone's an individual," he said. "Every officer has a different view. Like many, many New Yorkers, I think there's some people that just wanted to wait a while." Health experts, including the city's, continue to stress the three available coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective. Nearly 7 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in the city without major complications reported. Read the Gothamist report here.