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The governor of New York has declared a state of health emergency due to an influenza epidemic that has affected more than 19,000 people in the state, and has therefore authorized pharmacists to immunize babies and babies. children.
This exceptional measure taken on Saturday by Governor Andrew Cuomo comes as the epidemic has spread across the country and could last for several more weeks.
At least 28,747 cases of the flu were identified in the United States this winter, and 20 children have died of the disease, according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is likely, however, that the figures are much higher, as many patients do not consult a doctor.
In order to curb the spread of a potentially deadly virus, Governor Cuomo said it was crucial to suspend, for the next 30 days, regulations that allow New York pharmacists to vaccinate only adults aged between at least 18 years old.
“We are having the worst flu outbreak since at least 2009, and the virus is active throughout New York State, with cases recorded in all 57 counties and five boroughs of New York City,” said M Cuomo in a statement explaining why he declared a state of emergency in his state.
In the state of New York; influenza contamination, which affected 4,404 people in the winter of 2011-2012, exploded to 19,128 cases this winter.
“This is why I gave directives to my administration, to the New York State health service to mobilize all resources to respond to this state of health emergency, and to remove any hindrance to vaccination. of all New Yorkers, child or adult. “
He also calls on unimmunized New Yorkers to get vaccinated “immediately”, insisting that “it was not too late”. He also called on people who have regular contact with young children to be vaccinated, as the risks are very high for children under two years old. People over the age of 50, pregnant women and patients debilitated by chronic disease or immune deficiency are also at risk.
As the state of Massachusetts recorded 18 deaths from the infection, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared a state of health emergency on Wednesday after the city recorded 700 confirmed cases of the flu, ten times more than in any previous year. the previous season.
The epidemic is also spreading in New Jersey where the situation is critical in places, hospitals, which are struggling to cope with the flood of patients, are opening new emergency units.
According to the CDC, since 1976, the flu has killed between 3,000 and 49,000 people per year in the United States.
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