New York allows all to get H1N1 vaccine

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The governor of New York said Thursday healthcare providers statewide should make the H1N1 flu vaccine available to all without restriction.

"Since early October, when the H1N1 flu vaccine first became available, we have focused on providing vaccine to those New Yorkers considered at highest risk of serious illness from the flu," Gov. David A. Paterson said in a statement. "Now that increased supplies of vaccine are available, it is appropriate to expand access so that more New Yorkers get protection against the flu."

The H1N1 vaccine had been restricted nationwide to children over the age of 6 months, pregnant women, healthcare workers and those with existing medical condition such as asthma, diabetes or cancer.

New York state has received more than 5 million H1N1 vaccine doses, including more than 3 million doses for areas outside of New York City, but this week the state received 500,000 doses and the federal government forecasts that increasing amounts of vaccine will be available in subsequent weeks, Paterson said.

"As we enter the holiday travel season, it is important to provide vaccine to as many people as possible," Paterson said. "During this busy period, I encourage New Yorkers to take time to get vaccinated against the flu."