As Respiratory Virus Season Begins, NYC Health + Hospitals Reminds New Yorkers to Get Their Annual Flu and Covid Shots
Older adults and pregnant women should talk to their providers about getting the RSV vaccine, too New Yorkers can call 844-NYC-4NYC to schedule an appointment or go here for walk in hours at various NYC Health + Hospital facilities
Oct 19, 2023
NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD gets his flu shot at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur (Credit: NYC Health + Hospitals)
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced this year’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available at its hospitals and Gotham Health sites. The flu and COVID-19 shots can be administered on the same day. These vaccines are safe, quick, and available at no out-of-pocket cost to patients who are vaccinated at one of the NYC Health + Hospitals locations. The flu is a serious, highly contagious, and sometimes deadly disease, and the severity of each season is unpredictable, making annual vaccination the best defense against illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone over the age of six months get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, especially people at higher risk
Studies show the flu vaccine reduces the risk of illness by between 40 and 60 percent among the overall population. Many people at higher risk from flu are also at higher risk for severe disease from COVID-19. The new monovalent COVID-19 vaccine is expected to offer enhanced protection over the prior vaccine against the current variants circulating in our communities. In addition, the new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine will also be available shortly for people age 60 and older and pregnant women between weeks 32 and 36 gestation who are at higher risk of severe disease. New Yorkers can call 844-NYC-4NYC to schedule an appointment or go here for walk in hours.
“We are now in the season of viral respiratory illnesses, and everyone can benefit from getting the flu shot and the Covid-19 shot,” said Machelle Allen, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. “These are updated vaccines that will better protect you and your loved ones from current strains that are circulating in our communities.”
“Now is the time to get lifesaving vaccines, especially if you are older, pregnant or have underlying health conditions,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Make an appointment today. These vaccines could be the difference between a few days of mild illness or feeling truly terrible, or worse. Our colleagues at NYC Health + Hospitals are ready to get you ready for the season.”
“This fall season, we are fortunate to have 3 vaccines to guard against flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP, Senior Director, Systemwide Special Pathogens Program at NYC Health + Hospitals. “I encourage all those who are eligible to get vaccinated against all 3 viruses. It’s not just personal protection, getting vaccinated may also protect people around you.”
Why is it so important to get both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine this year?
- The flu and COVID-19 vaccines have been updated since last year.
- Both vaccines can reduce the risk of hospitalization and even death.
- Getting infected with the flu can be dangerous and may result in serious illness, hospitalization and even death. During the 2022-2023 flu season in the United States, the flu had the following estimated impact: 27-54 million influenza illnesses, 12-26 million influenza-associated medical visits, 300,000-650,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 19,000-58,000 influenza-associated deaths.
- Flu vaccination during pregnancy helps protect pregnant people from flu during and after pregnancy and helps protect their infants from flu in their first few months of life.
- Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine can help protect pregnant people and their baby from serious illness from COVID-19.
- Getting vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
New Yorkers can call 844-NYC-4NYC to schedule their flu and COVID-19 shots at a nearby NYC Health + Hospitals facility. Check here for a list of walk in appointments available. Read the health system’s facts on fighting the flu.
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MEDIA CONTACT: 212-788-3339; PressOffice@nychhc.org
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
