Eric Adams now open to vaccine mandates for NYC students

NEW YORK - Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams said he would consider implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for New York City school children if he’s elected mayor.

"Only if the FDA approved them," Adams said in an interview on Fox 5.  "I won’t do it for those under 11."

But when pressed on if that meant he would consider such a mandate as long as a shot for children was FDA-approves, Adams said, "Yes I would."

Current mayor, Bill de Blasio, when asked Wednesday said he can’t support such a rule. He says kids need to be in school "no matter what." And he believes too many parents are, at this point, unwilling "to give that consent," which would lead to some kids not attending school.

Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!  |  Sign up for FOX 5 email newsletters

Gov. Kathy Hochul, asked Wednesday whether she’d support a vaccine mandate for students said she is "certainly willing to look" at it.

Eric Adams’ position on student vaccine mandates is somewhat of a reversal of a position he took during a NY1 democratic primary debate in May when indicated opposition to such a requirement in schools. 

WATCH FOX 5 NEWS: