September 2020: Each year, to comply with New York State Public Health Law (PHL) § 613, licensed and registered day care programs, nursery schools, pre-K, kindergarten, school-age child care programs, and public and non-public schools are required to post information about influenza (flu) and the benefits of flu vaccination at the start of flu season in early fall. This year, flu vaccination is more important than ever because the flu and the virus that causes COVID-19 may both be spreading. Flu vaccination will help reduce the spread of flu and help ease the burden on our health care system.

Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu is different from a cold, and usually comes on suddenly. Each year flu viruses cause millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospital stays and thousands or tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.

Everyday preventive actions can help slow the spread of germs that can cause many different illnesses and may offer some protection against the flu.