Governor Kathy Hochul received her influenza vaccine Wednesday while urging and encouraging New Yorkers to do the same to protect themselves and their loved ones ahead of the flu season.
The influenza vaccine, along with the most recent COVID-19 booster shot, is recommended to protect against the “twindemic” expected this winter, with an anticipated rise in COVID and influenza cases and hospitalizations.
“I want people to know that we are taking this very seriously,” the governor said on Oct. 26. “We are all seeing the national news stories and it is concerning. It’s the flu, it’s COVID , it is [respiratory syncytial virus]. I know what parents are going through [but] there’s nothing to be alarmed about right now. What you’ve seen in other states is an overcapacity in some of the hospitals, especially pediatrics units, and I want you to know that our department of health is laser focused on all the dynamics involved.”