New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has declared influenza prevalent throughout New York, triggering a mandate for health care facilities and agencies to require unvaccinated personnel to wear masks in areas where patients and residents are present.
“The declaration that flu is prevalent across the state means health care facilities and agencies must require that personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu wear a mask to avoid exposing patients and residents to the flu virus,” said Dr. McDonald. “The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against infection and lessens symptoms if you get the flu. I encourage everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot, and it’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Under this policy, staff at health care or residential care facilities regulated by the Department of Health who have not received this season’s flu vaccine must wear surgical or procedure masks during periods when influenza is widespread in New York State. Exceptions are allowed for workers accompanying patients in community settings, providing speech therapy services, or communicating with individuals who lip read.
According to recent data from the Department of Health, as of November 22 there have been 17,783 confirmed cases of influenza reported across all 62 counties in New York this season. Outside New York City, laboratory-confirmed cases increased by 114% over one week—from 1,688 to 3,619—while in New York City cases rose by 119%, from 1,890 to 4,146 during the same period. Hospitalizations statewide due to influenza also nearly doubled within a week from 208 to 413.
A chart showing trends for hospitalizations related to influenza, COVID-19, and RSV is available on the Department’s website.
On November 24, the Department issued a press release urging residents to receive the seasonal flu vaccine following reports of pediatric deaths linked to influenza last season; there were 27 such deaths among children under age 18 during the previous season.
Current information about local and statewide influenza activity can be found on resources like Flu Tracker and the Respiratory Surveillance Report provided by the Department of Health.
National Influenza Vaccination Week runs December 1-5 this year. The observance serves as a reminder that vaccination remains effective as long as flu viruses circulate. Even if it does not prevent infection entirely, vaccination helps reduce serious complications such as hospitalization or death.
Flu shots are recommended for everyone aged six months or older. Those at higher risk include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic conditions, and adults over age 65.
Antiviral medications like Tamiflu may be prescribed by healthcare providers if administered soon after symptom onset; these drugs can lessen both duration and severity of illness.
The Department continues public education efforts about rising flu rates through campaigns on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). Vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, clinics, physician offices statewide; children ages two years or older can receive vaccines at pharmacies without prescriptions while those six months or older can be vaccinated at provider offices.
In addition to vaccination, preventive actions such as hand hygiene help limit spread of respiratory viruses. The seasonal vaccine remains key in protecting vulnerable populations and reducing absences from work or school caused by illness.
Further details about influenza activity in New York can be accessed via the Department’s official website.
