MSSNY Supports Requirement that School Age Children Receive the Influenza Vaccine 

For Immediate Release  

MSSNY Supports Requirement that School Age Children
Receive the Influenza Vaccine 
 

American Academy of Pediatrics, NYS District II, Chapters 1, 2 & 3
 Joins MSSNY in Support of Requirement 

Westbury, New York, September 18, 2020—The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, NYS District II, Chapters 1, 2 & 3 today announced joint support of the requirement that all school-age children and teens who attend childcare, pre-kindergarten, K-12 and colleges and universities in New York State receive the flu vaccine, unless medically contraindicated.

“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, immunizing school-age children with the influenza vaccine is vital to public health,” said Dr. Bonnie Litvack, president of the Medical Society of New York. “Studies show that children frequently introduce influenza to households and that schools act as a conduit for infection transmission in communities.

“Vaccination of children protects the elderly populations and those individuals, including the immune-comprised, who are already at high risk of serious complications of influenza,” continued Dr. Litvack.

“During this time of COVID-19, it is imperative that all infants, children and teens who are attending childcare, school or college be immunized against flu, said Dr. Warren Seigel, Chair of NY American Academy of Pediatrics, District II, NYS. “With the increased time spent indoors as fall and winter approach, school age children and young people in college settings are even more vulnerable to both COVID-19 and flu. We have an effective and safe flu vaccine. Let’s use it!”

# # #

About MSSNY
Founded in 1807, the Medical Society of the State of New York is the state’s principal non-profit professional organization for physicians, residents and medical students of all specialties. Its mission is to represent the interests of patients and physicians to assure quality healthcare services for all. 

About American Academy of Pediatrics, NYS District II, Chapters 1, 2 & 3
The New York Chapter of the AAP was established in 1949 as an endorsed Chapter Affiliate of the national organization.  The AAP is a national organization composed of over 55,000 pediatricians.   

 

Media Contact:
Roseann Raia

Communications / Marketing
Medical Society of the State of New York
865 Merrick Ave.
Westbury, New York
516-488-6100 ext 302
rraia@mssny.org