The state of New York has reversed course on an earlier decision
mandating that health care workers receive flu shots, as State Health
Commissioner Richard Daines has suspended the requirement.
Earlier, the state’s health department had said all health care workers would
need to be vaccinated by November 30.
But demand for the H1N1 vaccine by the state’s health care providers has
exceeded supply. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has allowed New
York to enter actual orders for 146,300 doses of vaccine, while the state’s
health care providers have requested more than 1.48 million doses, according to
the department.
“Over the last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
acknowledged that New York would only receive approximately 23 percent of its
anticipated vaccine supply by the end of the month,” Gov. David Paterson said in
a news release. “As a result, we need to be as resourceful as we can with the
limited supplies of vaccine currently coming into the state and make sure that
those who are at the highest risk for complications for the H1N1 virus receive
the first vaccine being distributed right now in the United States.”
After the mandate had been issued, some nurses in Albany County vowed to
fight the rule.
Daines said in a news release that vaccination of health care workers
continues to be an important safety measure, and he urged workers to receive
both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines.
Filed by Jessica Zigmond of
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