With the flu season getting off to a fierce start, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo followed Massachusetts lead in declaring a public health emergency Saturday, suspending a state law that allows pharmacists to vaccinate only adults against influenza. But drug stores are proving reluctant to offer flu shots to kids.
We are working as quickly as possible to allow CVS pharmacists to vaccinate patients under the age of 17 years as the emergency order allows, said CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis told NBCNewYork.com. However, the order did not address other related issues that we are in the process of resolving before our pharmacists can vaccinate minors.
Many pharmacies in the New York area didn't know about the change Sunday afternoon, the Wall Street Journal reported. I'll have to Google the governor s order and see what s out there, Abby Fazio, owner of New London Pharmacy in Chelsea, told the Journal.
Steven Winograd, an emergency room physician in the Bronx, told the New York Daily News Sunday he was having trouble finding a flu shot for his 14-year-old son.
I mentioned the governor s authorization and they said, Being employees, they must follow corporate directives,' Winograd said.
With 20 children already dead this year from flu-associated illness, ACSH hopes pharmacies will implement the governor s order. Anything that will get the flu shot delivered to kids is desirable, says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan.