Home

  • Home
    • » e-Newsletters

Hospital EDs see increase in flu patients

Quality Improvement Monitor, January 6, 2005

Hospitals in New York have seen a rise in patients with the flu, pneumonia, or other respiratory ailments in the past week, according to The Post-Standard of Syracuse, NY.

The influx led the state Department of Health to relax the restrictions on who can receive a flu shot. Physicians and county health departments can now give the shot to anyone 50 or older, as well as those in the high-risk groups defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The previous age limit was 65.

The state Department of Health plans to distribute 70,000 additional doses to local health departments beginning in mid-January. Those in the eligible age groups should still benefit from the vaccination even if they receive it later this month, the department said.

Most Popular