In mid-August, the state of New York approved an emergency regulation requiring influenza vaccinations for healthcare workers. In addition to seasonal flu, the regulation could apply to H1N1 if a vaccine is available in sufficient supply.

The mandate applies to all personnel working in hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, certified home health agencies, long-term home healthcare programs, acquired immune deficiency syndrome home care programs, licensed home care service agencies, and hospices, according to the Healthcare Association of New York State. Nursing home employees are not covered under the regulation.

The only exemptions are for personnel who have a medical contraindication and for workers who would have no contact with patients and only incidental contact with direct-care staff. The regulation includes a mandate requiring facilities to report the status of their immunization efforts annually to the state Department of Health.

Facilities should be prepared to offer the vaccines to their employees at no cost for the upcoming flu season.