Governor Andrew Cuomo today directed New York State
Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker to authorize
emergency assistance funding to counties as flu diagnoses continued to
increase in communities across the state. This action provides
enhanced reimbursement to counties and will help fund expanded efforts
to promote and increase access to flu vaccines statewide. Governor Cuomo
is calling on all 58 local health departments to expand efforts to more
readily accommodate New Yorkers still needing a flu shot.
"As
flu diagnoses and hospitalizations continue to increase to epidemic
proportions, this administration is doing everything in its power to
protect New Yorkers from this especially durable strain of influenza," Governor Cuomo said. "I
ask all New Yorkers to take advantage of this expanded access to flu
vaccines and join us in slowing down and stopping the spread of this
virus in the Empire State."
With 15,753 laboratory
confirmed influenza cases reported to the New York State Department of
Health, and 2,349 New Yorkers hospitalized with confirmed influenza,
these numbers are again the highest weekly numbers in both categories
since reporting began in 2004 and exceed last week's record
high 11,683 confirmed cases and 2,221 hospitalizations.
The Department of Health's website links to each local health department providing
the public a one-stop-shop approach to individual counties' expanded
efforts. Additionally, the HealthMap Vaccine Finder also identifies
locations where vaccines can be found at other locations in New York
State at www.vaccinefinder.org.
Governor Cuomo has also directed local health departments to re-focus
enhanced outreach to vulnerable populations, including daycares, nursing
homes, senior centers, and homeless shelters, to reemphasize the need
for flu vaccinations, provide targeted education regarding the signs and
symptoms of flu, and to identify and assist those populations with low
vaccine rates. Furthermore, local health departments will coordinate
with local school superintendents to identify schools experiencing an
increase in absenteeism rates due to illness among students and staff
and link them to ongoing education and vaccination efforts. These
partnerships will further ensure effective education and guidance is
provided to protect children.
Click here for the full announcement.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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