New York City schools won't be offering flu vaccines this year: officials

By Samuel Goldsmith
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, September 8th 2010, 4:00 AM

 

Brandon/AP

New York City students will have to go to their doctor for a flu vaccine this year.

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New York City schools won't offer flu vaccines this year, officials said Tuesday.

The decision marks a shift from last school year, when the city offered free swine flu vaccinations to all kids at public schools.

Mayor Bloomberg rolled out the massive inoculation program during the height of the swine flu outbreak - an international pandemic that hit children hardest.

The appearance of swine flu in 2009 forced scientists to create a second vaccine late in the year, meaning patients needed two different drugs to protect against seasonal and swine flus.

This year's standard flu vaccine covers both seasonal flu and swine flu - also called H1N1.

Dr. Jane Zucker, assistant commissioner in the city Health Department's immunization bureau, said parents should still have their children vaccinated this year at a pharmacy or a doctor's office.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2010/09/08/2010-09-08_schools_wont_be_giving_flu_vaccines_this_year.html#ixzz0ywZMm0BV