Applauding Boston’s Vaccine Mandate

BizGrow, Coronavirus, Economic Justice, Employment, Health Disparities, Immigrant Rights, Police Accountability


The Suffolk County Superior Court has allowed the City of Boston’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate to take effect. Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) applauds the ruling. We stand with Mayor Michelle Wu in the implementation of the vaccine mandate.

Through LCR’s Medical-Legal Partnership with MGH’s Community Health Center in Chelsea, we have seen firsthand how COVID-19 disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities compounding social inequalities and health disparities. The Omicron variant is the latest threat. Enhanced public health protections continue to be a matter of life-or-death. 

Boston’s vaccine mandate will especially help to protect people of color, immigrants, and low-income people who are often in close contact with City workers – from police officers to public school teachers. It is imperative that these public officials take any and all measures necessary to protect those they serve. 

To support vaccination efforts, LCR has been working in close partnership with health centers and grassroots groups helping to organize dozens of vaccination clinics in churches, housing developments, and community-based sites in low-income zip codes. Over 5000 people have been vaccinated through these efforts, representing a major victory for vaccine equity. Our last clinic took place over the weekend at the Veronica Robles Cultural Center in East Boston, where 110 people were vaccinated (approximately 25% of vaccines were administered to unvaccinated adults). This clinic was hosted in partnership with the Greater Boston Latino Network and the Whittier Street Health Center. More clinics are scheduled over the coming weeks across Boston. 

“It is time to turn the tide of battle. The court has spoken. The mandate is lawful. We urge everyone to follow the vaccine mandate to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities,” said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director of Lawyers for Civil Rights. 

LCR is actively creating and disseminating resources to help individuals and small businesses comply with Boston’s vaccine mandates. The materials are available on social media