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NORTH AMERICAN NEWSLINE OCTOBER 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 28

NYC Health + Hospitals Advises

New Yorkers to Receive their Annual Flu

and Covid-19 Vaccinations

Vaccines for flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost for established patients

at all of our hospitals and Gotham Health sites

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
YC Health + Hospitals have
announced that the 2025–
N2026 updated influenza and
COVID-19 vaccines are now avail-
able for patients at its hospitals and
Gotham Health facilities across the
city. All New Yorkers 6 months of age
and older are strongly encouraged to
get vaccinated against influenza and
COVID-19. These vaccinations, as
well as the RSV vaccine for eligible
patients, can be administered at the
same time and are a safe, effective
way to protect yourself, your loved
ones, and your community during re-
spiratory virus season. Vaccinations
are available at no cost to established
patients at all NYC Health + Hospi-
tals and Gotham Health sites. If you
would like to schedule an appoint- designed to guard against two influ- helping expand access across clinical know immunity can fade over time,”
ment or become a patient with NYC enza A strains and one influenza B settings. Medicaid in New York State said Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP,
Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, strain. For adults aged 65 and older, and Medicare will cover the full cost CHEP, Chief Biopreparedness Of-
please call 844-NYC-4NYC. You can the Advisory Committee on Immuni- of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, ficer at NYC Health + Hospitals.
also go here to see walk in hours at zation Practices (ACIP) recommends and private insurers are expected to “These updated vaccines offer strong
various NYC Health + Hospital and the use of an enhanced formulation continue covering vaccination, as they protection, reduce the risk of severe
Gotham Health facilities. If you feel flu vaccine due to their improved im- have in previous years. illness, and give us greater confidence
ill, stay home, and reach out to your munogenicity and effectiveness in this In addition, the Respiratory Syn- to gather with loved ones this fall and
primary provider or talk to a virtual population. Pregnant people are also cytial Virus (RSV) vaccine remains winter.”
ExpressCare provider by visiting Ex- strongly encouraged to receive the flu available for people between age 60 Why is it so important to get both a flu
pressCare.nyc or calling 631-397-2273. vaccine, both to protect themselves and 74 years with additional risk fac- and COVID-19 vaccine this year?
The flu, or influenza, and and their infants. Importantly, peo- tors, all people age 75 years and older • The flu and COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 are contagious respira- ple with a history of egg allergy may and pregnant women between weeks have been updated since last year
tory infections that can cause severe safely receive any age-appropriate flu 32 and 36 gestation. and provide enhanced protection
illness and even death. Each year’s vaccine. No extra safety measures are “Vaccination remains one of the against current variants circulating
flu season is unpredictable, making necessary. most important steps we can take to in our communities.
annual vaccination the most reliable The ACIP recommends that the stay healthy and protect our loved • Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
defense. COVID-19 continues to updated COVID-19 vaccines be giv- ones during respiratory virus season,” can reduce the risk of hospitaliza-
circulate, and updated vaccines pro- en on an individualized basis. Adults said Andrew B. Wallach, MD, FACP, tion and even death.
vide the strongest protection against 65 and older are encouraged to make Chief Medical Officer for Ambulato- • Getting infected with the flu can be
the most current strains. Many peo- vaccination decisions in consultation ry Care at NYC Health + Hospitals. dangerous and may result in seri-
ple at higher risk from flu are also at with their healthcare provider. For “The updated flu and COVID-19 vac- ous illness, hospitalization and even
higher risk for severe disease from people between 6 months and 64 cines are safe, effective, and designed death.
COVID-19. years of age, vaccination should also to protect against the strains we are During the 2024-2025 flu season
Vaccine Updates for 2025-2026 be based on individual choice, with most likely to see this year. Getting in the United States, the Centers
An annual flu shot is advised in recognition that those at higher risk vaccinated is an act of self-care and for Disease Control and Prevention
the United States for everyone six for severe disease — according to community care, helping to keep you (CDC) estimated that the flu likely re-
months of age and older who does not CDC-defined risk factors — stand to and those around you safe.” sulted in 47 – 82 million illnesses, 21-
have a medical reason that prevents benefit the most. Non-patient specific “Now is the time to get vaccinat- 37 million medical visits, 610,000 – 1.3
vaccination. All influenza vaccines standing orders for COVID-19 vac- ed against flu and COVID-19 — both million hospitalizations, and 27,000 –
available this season are trivalent and cines are again permitted this season, viruses continue to circulate, and we 130,000 deaths.

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