NEW YORK, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Hundreds of Flu Fighters will visit New York senior centers, houses of worship and schools to spread the word on getting flu shots, officials said.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city will offer free flu mist and flu shots for H1N1 to elementary school students whose parents want them to receive it; encourage New Yorkers to get flu shots or flu mist for H1N1 and seasonal flu; help people with influenza-like illness manage symptoms and find care; expand emergency room capacity if needed; and designate primary-care clinics as "flu centers" that can give flu shots and outpatient care.
City health officials will track rates of influenza-like illness and the different types of influenza, post daily and weekly updates on the city's new influenza Web portal, provide a daily report listing all schools reporting five or more cases of influenza-like illness, and begin an influenza-prevention campaign.
"Today is the first of what will be many efforts to keep New Yorkers informed about what we are doing to prepare for the return of the H1N1 and seasonal flu," Bloomberg said in a statement. "We can't predict this year's flu season, but we can make sure that city government is fully prepared for whatever happens."
