A vaccine mandate for private-sector workers across New York City will take effect this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday.
Vaccinations are in demand for hospital, nursing home workers and, city employees like teachers, police officers and firefighters.
A mandatory vaccine for employees working in private and religious schools was announced last week.
The mayor announced a series of other new requirements, including an order that 5-to 11-year-old children get vaccinated to participate in high-risk extracurricular activities such as sports, band, orchestra and dance.
"Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe," de Blasio said in a statement.
"No place in the nation has done more to end the COVID era. And, if you have not taken this step yet, there's no better day than today to stand up for your city." Almost 6.5 million New Yorkers including 89% of adults have received at least one vaccine dose, the city says.
Seven additional COVID-19 cases have been identified on a Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise ship that disembarked in New Orleans on Sunday.
According to Johns Hopkins University data, "The U.S. has recorded more than 49 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 788,000 deaths."
Global totals: More than 265.5 million cases and 5.2 million deaths.
More than 198 million Americans - roughly 59.9% of the population - are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
