Area hospitals inundated with flu patients

[x635 4,066]

So, this flu season is sure kicking off with a bang. Not only are EMS agencies busy with patients, but also busy themselves, since a lot of crew members are calling in sick, leaving them running short. The latter goes for FD's and PD's as well.

Is there anyone who are taking special precatuions or actions to deal with the above?

[SOUSGT 357]

The City of Boston has declared a public health emergency.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/01/10/boston-declares-public-health-emergency-as-flu-cases-rise-nationwide/

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

GET YOUR FLU SHOT TODAY!!!

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Hospitals crack down on staff refusing flu shots

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57563651/hospitals-crack-down-on-staff-refusing-flu-shots/

I would like it if EMS would do this too, and not just for the flu shot.

[helicopper 1,050]

http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/01122013Severe-Flu-Season

NEW YORK STATE – Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a Public Health Emergency in response to the flu outbreak across the state.

The governor issued an executive order, allowing pharmacists to give flu shots to those between six months and 18-years-old. The order suspends the law that limits pharmacists to give vaccinations to only those 18 and older for the next 30 days.

More than 19,000 cases of the flu have been reported in New York so far this season. Last year, just about 4,400 cases were reported all season.

http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/seasonal/

[Disaster_Guy 96]

For those of you familiar with EmergencyEmail.org (especially great for local NWS hazardous weather alerts and daily weather report links), today they released their 2013 National Flu Situation Page, which is a neat resource. http://www.emergencyemail.org/flu

"your automatically updating information source for flu information from public and private sources to include:

- Updating CDC Flu Map

- FLU shot locater

- Live updating news feeds from CDC

- What Americans are saying about the flu on Social Media"

[Disaster_Guy 96]

"Rockland, Putnam to offer vaccines: No letup yet in flu patients, hospitals say"

http://www.lohud.com/article/20130115/NEWS03/301150105/Rockland-Putnam-offer-vaccines

[Disaster_Guy 96]

"Westchester Dept. of Health schedules free flu-vaccine clinic"

January 18, 2013

http://www.lohud.com/article/20130119/NEWS02/301180110/Westchester-Dept-Health-schedules-free-flu-vaccine-clinic

WHITE PLAINS — A month into a severe flu outbreak, the Westchester County Department of Health is scheduling its first public vaccine clinic of the season.