Swine Flu Vaccine Available to All New Yorkers

Now any New Yorker who wants the H1N1 vaccine can get it from a health care provider, according to state officials. That means even if you don't fall into a CDC priority group , you can request the swine flu vaccine from your doctor, a clinic, or other provider.

"Since early October, when the H1N1 flu vaccine first became available, we have focused on providing vaccine to those New Yorkers considered at highest risk of serious illness from the flu," Gov. David Paterson said in a statement. "Now that increased supplies of vaccine are available, it is appropriate to expand access so that more New Yorkers get protection against the flu."

The New York Department of Health has allocated 5 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine for priority group individuals, such as people who have other medical conditions that make having the flu especially dangerous, in New York. The state now has enough of a supply to make it available to everyone, officials said.

"With the supply of vaccine increasing, I urge New Yorkers to take advantage of the opportunity to protect themselves and their families against the flu," said Dr. Richard Daines, the state health commissioner. "While the flu is very unpredictable, typically we see the most flu activity during the next three months. Getting vaccinated in the next month will provide protection against a possible third wave of the H1N1 flu this winter and spring."

In New York State, except for New York City, 43 people died from H1N1-related causes between September 1 and December 4, including 11 children, according to state officials.

Health officials said that the H1N1 vaccine is as "safe and effective" as the seasonal flu vaccine and is manufactured in the same process.

Health officials recommend that you first speak to your doctor, who is likely the most convenient source of the vaccine. If not, you can find a flu vaccine clinic near you; see the resources in the sidebar.