Governor David A. Paterson today announced that nearly three million doses of H1N1 vaccine have now been shipped to New York State by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of November 18, CDC reported it had shipped approximately 1.7 million doses to New York State outside of New York City and more than 1.2 million doses to New York City.

“While the current amount of available vaccine is still well below earlier CDC projections, CDC has indicated that larger quantities of vaccine will be allocated to states in December, which will allow many more New Yorkers to have access to the vaccine,” Governor Paterson said. “Demand for the H1N1 vaccine remains high in New York, and county health departments and other health care providers are trying to meet that demand by scheduling H1N1 flu vaccination clinics as vaccine becomes available to them.”

Stephen J. Acquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties, said: “The Governor’s announcement that more vaccine is coming to New York is both timely and essential to address a serious public health threat. With the limited supply of the vaccines, governments at all levels have been challenged to protect the general welfare of the public. While state and county health officials have done a remarkable job with the limited resources to protect our most vulnerable population, news of an additional supply will now enable more New Yorkers to receive this essential measure of prevention.”

Local health departments and health care providers continue to provide H1N1 vaccinations to New Yorkers. More than 85 percent of county health departments outside of New York City have either conducted H1N1 flu clinics or will hold clinics in the coming weeks. Monroe, Onondaga, Albany and Nassau counties all held large vaccination clinics in the past week.

The clinics are targeted to individuals in priority groups established by CDC, including:
Pregnant women;
Children and young people ages six months to 24 years;
People who live with or provide care for infants under six months of age;
Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel; and
People ages 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for serious illness and influenza-related complications, including cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders and weakened immune systems.

State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: “Eventually, after New York receives enough vaccine to meet the needs of priority group individuals, clinics will expand to include persons not in the priority groups and health care providers will offer the vaccine to all their patients. I know it is frustrating to many New Yorkers who are still waiting to receive the vaccine, but we all need to continue practicing preventive measures while we wait for more vaccine from CDC.”

Currently, more than 5,000 health care providers outside of New York City have registered to receive vaccine. The New York State Department of Health orders vaccine for registered providers who request shipments. Vaccine is allocated as soon as it is made available by CDC. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene coordinates vaccine distribution to providers in New York City.

Widespread H1N1 flu activity continues in New York State, and hospitalizations from complications due to the flu remain high. To date, 27 confirmed deaths have been reported in the counties outside of New York City since September 1, and several other deaths are under investigation.

(YWN Desk – NYC)