Important News for Schools and Child Care Facilities: Flu Season
An announcement from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
(Spanish)
Schools and child-care settings are required to post influenza educational material, in plain view, within their facilities. Information should be posted starting now. Influenza season begins in early fall and can last through May.
Outreach to parents and guardians of children ages 6 months to 18 years is directed to those whose children attend:
- Licensed and registered day-care programs
- Nursery schools
- Prekindergarten
- Kindergarten
- School-age child-care programs
- Public schools
- Nonpublic schools
This requirement supports New York State Public Health Law (PHL) Section §613.
Purpose: To ensure that families of these children receive information on influenza and the benefits of influenza immunizations in connection with efforts to raise the immunity of children against influenza.
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) would like you to know that information regarding influenza and the benefits of influenza immunizations is free, accessible and available in different languages from several organizations:
- NYSDOH Season Influenza Information
- NYSDOH Childhood and Adolescent Immunization
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
You will find our Seasonal Flu Guide for Parents linked here. This guide is an example of information that is geared towards parents and guardians. It explains why seasonal influenza is serious, provides signs of influenza and tells parents and guardians how to protect their children from influenza by getting them vaccinated. Your facility is welcome to copy and post this guide, or use information you find from the other organizations above.
If you have questions about this amended PHL, please contact the NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization at immunize@health.ny.gov or 518-473-4437.