Declaration Requires Health Care Workers Unvaccinated for Flu to Wear Masks in Certain Health Care Settings
Department Urges Vaccination Ahead of Upcoming Holidays
Find Nearby Flu Vaccine Locations: vaccines.gov
ALBANY, N.Y. (December 18, 2024) &ndash New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald at present declared that influenza is now prevalent in New York State. The declaration requires well being care employees who haven’t acquired this yr’s flu vaccine to put on masks in sure well being care settings.
"My declaration that flu is prevalent throughout the State means well being care personnel who usually are not vaccinated towards the flu this season must take further precautions and put on a masks in well being care services to keep away from exposing sick sufferers and people most weak to issues of the virus," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald stated. "The flu vaccine is a secure and efficient strategy to defend towards an infection and can reduce the signs for those who get sick. I encourage everybody 6 months and older to get the flu shot, and it is not too late to guard your self and your family members and guarantee you do not miss out on vacation celebrations."
The declaration requires well being care employees in well being care and residential services and businesses regulated by the State Health Department who’re unvaccinated for flu to put on surgical or process masks throughout these occasions when the Commissioner declares that influenza is prevalent in New York State.
Amendments to the laws enable for the removing of masks when well being care employees are accompanying sufferers in the neighborhood, offering speech remedy providers, or speaking with individuals who lip learn.
The Department’s most up-to-date knowledge, by means of December 14, exhibits a complete of 23,313 optimistic flu circumstances throughout 60 counties in New York have been reported this season to this point.
Outside of New York City, week-over-week lab-confirmed flu circumstances are up 75%, rising from 2,058 circumstances within the earlier week to three,603. In New York City, circumstances are up 72%, rising from 2,501 circumstances within the earlier week to 4,300.
Hospitalizations attributable to influenza climbed by 48%, up from 270 within the earlier week to 399 throughout the State.
Current influenza data can also be accessible on the Department’s Flu Tracker, which gives well timed details about native, regional and statewide influenza exercise.
The flu shot is on the market to these 6 months and older. Those aged 65 years and older, folks with sure persistent medical situations, younger youngsters, and pregnant ladies are most in jeopardy of creating critical issues, which may require hospitalization and end in dying.
To deal with the flu, there are antiviral drugs that may be prescribed by well being care suppliers, resembling Tamiflu, which might scale back the size and severity of the sickness.
Avoiding sickness by getting the flu shot stays the best strategy to forestall an infection and scale back the danger of extreme sickness for youngsters and adults. According to analysis gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination has important well being benefits, notably for folks susceptible to getting very sick, together with:
- It prevents folks from getting sick with the flu, slicing the danger of getting to go to the physician by 40% to 60%.
- In youngsters, vaccine reduces the danger of extreme, life-threatening flu by 75% decreases flu-related hospitalizations by 41% and cuts the danger of emergency division visits in half.
- Flu vaccination throughout being pregnant reduces the danger of being hospitalized by a mean of 40% and helps defend the child from influenza for a number of months after beginning, when infants are too younger to get vaccinated.
- For older adults, the vaccine reduces the danger of flu-associated hospitalization by about 40%.
- Among these with persistent well being situations, the flu shot is related to decrease charges of some cardiac occasions, in addition to decreasing the danger of hospitalization from flu-related worsening of lung ailments and diabetes.
The Department makes use of numerous instruments to extend public data about rising flu charges and the significance of vaccinations as a essential prevention step, together with public training campaigns and knowledge on social media platforms Instagram, Facebook and X (Twitter).
The flu shot is extensively accessible, discovered at pharmacies, well being clinics and doctor’s places of work throughout the state. To find a flu shot location close to you, go to vaccines.gov.
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, easy preventative actions might help cease the unfold of influenza and different respiratory viruses:
- Wash arms typically with cleaning soap and water for at the very least 20 seconds. If cleaning soap and water usually are not accessible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching eyes, nostril and mouth with unwashed arms.
- Avoid shut contact with people who find themselves sick.
- Stay dwelling when sick.
- Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue within the trash.
- Clean and disinfect often touched objects and surfaces.
For extra details about influenza in New York, go to the Department’s flu website.
