New York’s acting health commissioner has declared influenza “prevalent” in the state, and says health care workers who aren’t vaccinated must wear masks around patients.

The regulation requiring most unvaccinated health care workers to wear masks went into effect last year.

Acting Commissioner Howard Zucker says that while this year’s flu vaccine is not well matched against one of the types of flu viruses circulating this season, it still provides protection against several of the viruses that are spreading. He says it may reduce the severity of infections.

The Health Department recommends that everyone six months of age or older receive a flu vaccination.

(AP)