Flu Season Opens in New York

By EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy, Ph.D., NRP, RN, CCRN
NYSAFC EMS Committee

The New York state acting health commissioner declared the flu officially widespread on December 10, 2014, triggering a requirement than any unvaccinated health care worker must wear a mask while treating patients.

Some 40,000 Americans die annually from the flu and unvaccinated health care workers, including EMS providers, often unknowingly transmit flu to patients as well at to their own family members. All fire departments and EMS agencies should offer flu vaccinations for their members and any person who declines a flu vaccine should complete a declination form available here.

More information on the flu is available here.