You are reading

Queens Lawmaker Vickie Paladino Given Vaccine Waiver to Take Seat in NYC Council Chamber

Council Member Vickie Paladino, pictured, took her seat at City Hall Thursday after receiving a waiver from the city council’s vaccination mandate (Photo via Twitter)

Jan. 21, 2022 By Michael Dorgan

Queens Council Member Vickie Paladino took her seat at City Hall Thursday after receiving a waiver from the city council’s vaccination mandate.

Paladino, who is an outspoken critic of vaccine mandates, was given an exemption from the rule and provided a negative coronavirus test to enter the council chamber, according to a spokesperson.

“Council Member Paladino was granted a waiver and will be allowed access to the chamber with a negative COVID test,” her spokesperson Robert Hornak said in a statement. “Our understanding is the waiver is indefinite.”

Up until yesterday, the newly elected Republican lawmaker had been denied entry to the Council Chamber for refusing to show proof of vaccination and had been participating in council proceedings remotely via a video linkup.

Council members are required to be immunized against COVID-19 under a council policy implemented in the fall, according to a spokesperson for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

That policy remains in place under the new council that took office earlier this month, the spokesperson said, adding that “employees are entitled by law to seek accommodations to the vaccine mandate based on medical or religious concerns.”

It is unclear whether Paladino has been vaccinated since she has refused to publicly reveal her immunization status. Earlier this month she likened the city’s mandates to Nazi Germany in an interview with NY1 News. She later walked the comments back and apologized.

“The council member believes that this is a matter of personal medical privacy and that nobody should be forced to disclose their medical information publicly,” Hornak said.

Paladino will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test within seven days of attending any council meeting or hearing, according to reports.

She was seen wearing a black-colored mask inside the council chamber yesterday while the new committee chairs were announced. She posted a picture of herself to Twitter not wearing a mask before proceedings got underway.

“My first day in council chambers for a scheduled session,” Paladino captioned the picture.

“Thank you to Speaker Adams for all your help, and I look forward to a productive and successful term!”

Paladino won the District 19 seat representing Whitestone, College Point, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston and parts of North Flushing in November and succeeded Democratic Council Member Paul Vallone.

She narrowly defeated Democrat Tony Avella, who represented the same district in the council from 2002 to 2009.

Council Member Vickie Paladino, pictured, took her seat at City Hall Thursday after receiving a waiver from the city council’s vaccination mandate (Photo by Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit)

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Run through the cold: 4 February races in Queens to help keep your New Year’s resolutions

Feb. 4, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Amid the busy month of February, with Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and even snow days, it can be easy to lose track of your running schedule. During these cold winter months, the urge to stay indoors and avoid the harsh winds is strong. However, having the support of friends, family, and the local community can be the motivation needed to lace up your running shoes and push forward. Stay committed to your New Year’s resolutions and sign up for these races in Queens this month, some of which benefit important causes.

Karaoke dispute turns violent as woman attacks man over microphone: NYPD

Police from the 109th Precinct in Flushing are looking for a crazed karaoke singer who attacked a 24-year-old man during the early morning hours of Monday, Jan. 20, and remains at large.

The assault occurred at 4 a.m. inside the 9Plus KTV & Party Lounge, located at 136-28 39th Ave., when a blonde woman began arguing with the victim over a karaoke microphone. The suspect picked up a metal drink pitcher and smashed him in the head with it, causing serious physical injury to the victim, police said Monday.