NYPD Has Vaccinated 43% of Its Service Members Against COVID-19

 The NYPD has administered COVID-19 vaccines to about 43% of its service members, the department clarified in a statement Wednesday.

"Since vaccines became available we have encouraged our employees, especially those who have contact with the public, to get vaccinated," the NYPD said in its statement, adding that the department has made vaccinations available at multiple times and locations to ensure that as many of its employees as possible get the vaccination.

The efforts of the NYPD to encourage its officers and personnel to get vaccinated also include turning to media -- producing two videos, with more on the way.

The lagging vaccination rate administered by the NYPD comes after more than 11,000 members of the force have contracted COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to the department. It is unclear how many officers received the vaccine in outside locations where the NYPD was not administering the shots.

The NYPD initially said that the overall "vaccination rate between police officers and professional support staff is approximately 43%," but the department subsequently clarified that was the rate only for NYPD-administered vaccinations, and doesn't include those who may have gotten the vaccine elsewhere. The department said the total percentage of officers and staff to be vaccinated is not known.

"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.

"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."

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/only-43-of-nypd-officers-and-support-staff-have-received-the-covid-19-vaccine/3166342/