September 18, 2009

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS URGED TO PRE-REGISTER WITH NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE ADULT AND PEDIATRIC NOVEL INFLUENZA A (H1N1) VACCINE

Uniondale, NY – Nassau County Department of Health encourages health care providers to pre-register their medical practice (located outside of New York City) for the novel influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.  The vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October 2009.    

It is important that health care providers pre-register since the information provided will assist the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) in allocating H1N1 vaccine throughout the State, taking into consideration the targeted population groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

Health care providers interested in receiving vaccine must pre-register at https://hcsteamwork1.health.state.ny.us/pub/top.html.  The pre-registration process is to determine the number of providers interested in receiving vaccine and does not obligate providers to receive or administer vaccine.  In addition, there is no guarantee the provider will receive vaccine if supplies are limited. For further information or questions, contact the NYSDOH H1N1 hotline at 1.800.808.1987.

The following populations are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to receive the H1N1 vaccine:

• Pregnant Women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

Influenza vaccination is the most effective method to prevent influenza infection; therefore office-based providers will play a key role in delivering the H1N1 vaccine to their targeted patients.  It is essential that health providers participate to ensure that all of our residents in the targeted priority groups receive the most effective protection against H1N1 influenza.