Supreme Court rejects NYC teachers' request to stop vaccine mandate

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to block New York City’s vaccine mandate for public schools following a petition brought by a group of teachers. 

According to The Hill, the group of New York City teachers asked for an emergency injunction on Thursday, following a lower court's ruling that permitted the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate to take effect this coming Monday. 

The group argued that many teachers would lose their jobs if the Supreme Court didn’t intervene.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor—who is responsible for emergency matters originating from New York—denied the request without comment.

According to USA Today, teachers had until 5 p.m. on Friday to provide proof of at least one shot of the vaccine. Failure to do so could result in suspension without pay or potential termination on Monday, Oct. 4.

This marks the second time the court has refused to take up a vaccine mandate case. The first one was from a group of students who sued Indiana University over its vaccine requirements. Justice Amy Coney Barret rejected the student’s petition and declined their request for emergency relief.

More lawsuits from teachers are expected as the rule goes into effect.