the flu

New York Is Now a State of Flu Emergency

Photo: governorandrewcuomo/Flickr

Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared that the horrible flu epidemic is now a public health emergency in New York State. Before getting completely hysterical, please take a moment to note the practical implications of this: Pharmacists, who were previously barred from administering flu vaccines to minors, can now immunize anyone over the age of six months old. Two New York children have already died from the flu this year. Last week, the number of reported cases spiked 55 percent, putting the total number of cases this season at five times where they were last year. Nearly three times as many patients have been hospitalized, which is starting to stretch the resources of area hospitals. The bottom line? Go get yourself — and your kids! — a flu shot from here, here, here, or here.