Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel, senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement regarding the H1N1 vaccine.

“I was pleased to hear Governor David Paterson’s announcement that health care providers are now able to make the H1N1 flu vaccine available to all New Yorkers who want to receive it. While previously only those included in priority groups established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had access to the vaccine, now all New Yorkers six months of age and older are eligible.

“Ensuring that everyone who wishes to be inoculated can now be, is very important in the efforts to contain the H1N1 outbreak. The announcement applies to all providers, including local health departments with vaccine clinics scheduled for this weekend.

“In addition to the vaccination, simple measures such as regular hand washing, covering of mouths when sneezing and such are the best weapons against spreading the virus. People are further encouraged to stay home if they have flu symptoms rather than going to work or school.

“To date, New York State has received more than 5 million vaccine doses, including more than 3 million doses for areas outside of New York City, and more than 2 million doses for New York City. From September 1 through the week ending December 4, there were 43 confirmed H1N1 related deaths in the counties outside of New York City, including 11 children less than 18 years of age. More than 3,000 people were hospitalized with the flu in New York State during the same period.

“The vaccination is one of our best weapons towards making certain no other New Yorkers fall victim to this disease. For more information about H1N1 flu, including where to locate flu vaccine is available at www.nyhealth.gov.