Paterson Declares State of Emergency Over Swine Flu
Updated 1:17 PM EST, Thu, Oct 29, 2009
Gov. David Paterson has declared a state of emergency because of the rise in swine flu cases.
The executive order means that far more health care professionals -- including dentists -- will be permitted to administer vaccines with only brief training. The order is needed to suspend provisions of state law.
State officials say the number of vaccine doses is also being increased. The federal government is ramping up availability of the vaccine, allowing the state to order twice as many doses as a week ago, a trend that's expected to continue.
The executive order obtained by The Associated Press says at least 75 deaths in the state have been attributed to the swine flu.
Students at 125 elementary schools got the swine flu vaccine today in the first phase of the city's drive to make inoculation available to all school-age children.
School nurses administered the vaccine to students whose parents have signed consent forms. Officials do not yet know what percentage of parents citywide have signed the forms.
Some children were getting shots instead of the nasal spray, depending on their medical conditions.
The city's health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, said there are 40,000 doses set aside for the first wave of schools.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC New York
First Published: Oct 29, 2009 11:35 AM EST
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