Due to increased supplies of the H1N1 flu vaccine, the State Department of Health (DOH) is once again requiring hospitals to have the vaccines available to those who care for newborns in the intensive care unit and to patients 65 or older.
“Complacency is the flu’s best friend and our worst enemy,” Governor David A. Paterson said. “If people do not act now to get vaccinated, a third wave of this dangerous virus becomes more likely. There is plenty of H1N1 flu vaccine available from health care providers, county health departments, pharmacies and pharmacies-within-supermarkets, and I encourage all New Yorkers to take the opportunity to get vaccinated.”
The required had been waived by State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard F. Daines due to short supplies of not only the H1N1 vaccine but also the seasonal flue vaccine.
“There is enough H1N1 vaccine available to the general public to give effect to the requirements of Public Health Law Section 2805-h, which was signed by Governor Paterson last July and provides protection to newborns in intensive care by requiring flu vaccination for their caregivers,” Daines said.
“Similarly, while older adults are not as likely as younger people to come down with H1N1 flu, the flue can cause life-threatening complications,” Daines continued. “Because a sufficient supply of vaccine is now available, it is appropriate to reinstate the requirement that hospitals offer the H1N1 vaccine to newly admitted patients age 65 and older.”
For more information on the H1N1 flu and vaccination information, visit www.nyhealth.gov.
