ALBANY – State Health
Commissioner Dr. Hoard Zucker has declared that influenza is prevalent
in the state. The announcement puts into effect a regulation requiring
that healthcare workers who are not vaccinated against influenza wear
surgical or procedure masks in areas where patients are typically present.
There were a reported 1,230 cases of the flu in the state during the week
ending on December 15, the latest period recorded by the health department.
There were a total of 155 cases reported in the Hudson Valley –
77 in Westchester, 25 in Dutchess, 17 in Rockland, 15 in Orange, seven
in Putnam and four each in Sullivan and Ulster.
“The importance of getting vaccinated against influenza to protect
yourself, as well as your family and friends, cannot be overstated,”
said Dr. Zucker. “Healthcare personnel are routinely exposed to
sick patients and are also in close contact with vulnerable patients.
The requirement that unvaccinated healthcare personnel wear a mask when
patients are nearby protects both our critical healthcare workforce and
at-risk New Yorker.”
He encouraged all New Yorkers older than six months to get a flu shot
as soon as possible.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conduct studies each year
to determine how effective each year’s vaccine is at protecting
against influenza-related illness and, while the effectiveness can vary
from year to year, studies show that the vaccine remains the most effective
way to protect public health.
Studies also show that flu vaccine can make the illness milder in certain
cases where an individual was vaccinated but till contracted the bug.
