The New York State Department of Health is encouraging all who are eligible to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine to get their shot now as we have entered respiratory season and as the holiday travel season approaches. While reported administration of the new vaccine remains low throughout the state, the Department continues to encourage higher vaccination rates among older New Yorkers and other vulnerable populations. “While current hospitalization rates are going down, COVID is still an ongoing threat and I am concerned for older New Yorkers, especially those in long-term care settings,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “The updated vaccine is the most effective protection against current COVID variants, so I’m once again encouraging all those eligible to get the updated COVID vaccine and the flu shot. Nobody wants to get sick and miss out on the holidays.”
Since July, in anticipation of the release of the updated vaccine in September, the Department’s Office of Aging and Long-term Care and the Office of Public Health have taken several steps to protect long-term care (LTC) facility residents and their staff by reiterating the importance of vaccination for all consenting residents and healthcare personnel, as well as implementing infection control and prevention measures. The Department has made and continues to make direct contact with LTC facility administrators and associations through weekly letters and various webinars and holds biweekly calls with LTC associations. The Department is also encouraging LTC facilities to concurrently provide flu shots to residents at the time of administering the updated COVID-19 vaccine. It is safe to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.
