New York announced free swine flu vaccinations Tuesday for all elementary school students ahead of the new academic year and a feared resurgence of H1N1 infections.
The mayor's office and the city health department said the free shots would be given for the next several months to students whose parents requested them. The vaccine is expected to become available in the second half of October.
The city also said it was working with hospitals to ensure extra emergency room capacity, as well as designating clinics that will focus on giving the flu jabs and caring for outpatients.
Also, "hundreds of Flu Fighters will visit senior centers, houses of worship, schools and other places to spread the word about seasonal flu and the importance of getting vaccinated against it," the city agencies said in a statement.
"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," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"We can't predict this year's flu season, but we can make sure that city government is fully prepared."
New York was a top hot spot for swine flu during an initial outbreak in the spring.
With the regular autumn influenza season approaching, and public schools reopening September 9, the city is again bracing for trouble.
In the US government's worst-case scenario, the virus — which appears to infect disproportionately large numbers of young people — could cause as many as 90,000 deaths in the United States alone.
Since it appeared in Mexico this April, the virus has infected an estimated one to two million people across the United States.
The most recent US figures, released by the Centers for Disease Control on August 28, showed 8,843 people hospitalized after being infected, and 556 dying from the virus — although many of them suffered from other health problems.
New York officials have repeatedly stressed that swine flu has so far proved far less deadly than ordinary influenza, which kills more than 35,000 people each year nationwide.
"Neither the seasonal virus nor the H1N1 virus is expected to cause unusually severe illness, but the sheer volume of cases could tax hospital emergency departments as people with symptoms seek information, reassurance and treatment," the city said.
Meanwhile, the Daily News quoted the head of the hospitals that handled the brunt of the last swine flu bout in New York as saying that the health department was not doing enough to help.
"We're getting no help whatsoever," said David Rosen, head of the network running three hospitals in the Queens and Brooklyn neighborhoods.
"You might think that somebody would help us, but we're a week away from schools reopening and there's been no discussion."
But despite widespread fears about the return of the disease, City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley sounded an optimistic note Tuesday.
"We know far more about this virus than last spring," he told a news conference. "It's not worsening. It's the same virus."
He also noted that children may be more resistant this time around than in the spring, when the virus appeared to spread rapidly through crowded schools.
"Many of the children are already immune to the H1N1 virus," Farley said.
earlier related report
F for Flu : US enlists Sesame Street in health drive
As US kids go back to school facing a likely resurgence of (A)H1N1 flu, the US government Tuesday enlisted Sesame Street muppets Elmo and Gordon in a new health campaign.
The brains behind the famed educational television show for tots will partner with the agencies in four public service announcements warning children of the need to stifle sneezes, wash hands and to stay home if they get sick.
"Wash with Elmo, wash, wash, wash," the furry red muppet says in one ad, imploring kids to keep their hands clean to stop the spread of germs.
US officials have repeatedly warned of a likely resurgence of H1N1 flu as children return to school over the next few weeks after the long summer break.
"We are thrilled to partner with Elmo, Gordon, and Sesame Workshop again to emphasize the steps kids and their parents can take to stay happy and healthy this school year," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
"Younger children and their parents are some of the people most at risk from the new H1N1 flu virus.
"With schools starting back up again and the weather starting to get colder, we need to do everything we can to get these important messages about how to prevent the spread of the flu out there."
The new public service advertisements unite the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Education with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit group behind Sesame Street.
The tie-up was announced by the White House hours before President Barack Obama was set to meet senior US officials in the Oval Office for a briefing on US preparations to combat the flu.
In the government's worst-case scenario the A(H1N1) virus — which spreads easily among children — could cause as many as 90,000 deaths in the United States alone.
Since it appeared in April, the virus has infected about two million people nationally, seen 7,983 taken to hospital and 522 deaths.
New US medical advice tells kids to keep their distance from those who are sick, sneeze into their arms to stop germs being spread on their hands, and frequent hand washing with soap and water.
The Mexican version of Sesame Street, Plaza Sesamo, quickly responded to the Mexican swine flu outbreak earlier this year with four similar public service announcements, including several Mexican celebrities.
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