New York’s governor has declared a health emergency over a flu epidemic that has hit more than 19,000 people, and in an exceptional measure cleared pharmacists to immunize infants and children.
To try to curb the spread of the potentially lethal virus, Andrew Cuomo said it was critical to suspend, for the next 30 days, a legal restriction that allows New York pharmacists to administer flu vaccines only to patients 18 or older.
His statement on Saturday came amid a nationwide epidemic expected to last several weeks.
“We are experiencing the worst flu season since at least 2009, and influenza activity in New York state is widespread, with cases reported in all 57 counties and all five boroughs of New York City,” said Cuomo.
“Therefore, I have directed my administration, the state health department and others to marshal all needed resources to address this public health emergency and remove all barriers to ensure that all New Yorkers – children and adults alike – have access to critically needed flu vaccines.”
Already on Wednesday, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino had declared a public-health emergency in the city after local health officials confirmed 700 cases of flu – 10 times the number for the entire flu season last year.
