| Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash
NEW YORK—NYC Health + Hospitals (NYCHH) encourages all New Yorkers 6 months and older to get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19. These vaccines can be administered on the same day and are essential to keeping yourself and your family healthy and safe. Vaccines for flu and COVID-19 are safe, quick, and available at no out-of-pocket cost to vaccinated patients at NYC Health + Hospitals facilities and Gotham Health sites.
According to the NYCHH, the flu, or influenza, is a serious, highly contagious, and sometimes deadly disease, and the severity of each flu season is unpredictable, making annual vaccination the best defense against illness. COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory infection that may cause severe and even fatal illness, and staying up to date with your vaccinations remains the best defense. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinating everyone over six months against influenza and COVID-19, especially at higher risk for severe disease.
NYCHH said studies show the flu vaccine reduces the risk of illness by between 40 and 60 percent among the overall population. Many people at higher risk of flu are also at higher risk for severe disease from COVID-19. The 2024-2025 updated COVID-19 vaccines offer enhanced protection over the prior vaccine against the current and emerging variants circulating in our communities.
In addition, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine remains available for people between 60 and 74 with additional risk factors, all people 75 years and older, and pregnant women between weeks 32 and 36 gestation who are at higher risk of severe disease.
New Yorkers who want to schedule an appointment or become patients with NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health can call 844-NYC-4NYC. You can also go here to see walk-in hours at various NYC Health + Hospital and Gotham Health facilities
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being vaccinated: the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, readily available, and can save your life,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Machelle Allen, MD. “The updated vaccines provide the best protection against current strains. I encourage all New Yorkers to do their part—get vaccinated to take care of yourself, your family, and your community.”
“Staying up to date with your vaccinations against COVID-19, flu, and RSV remains the surest way to protect yourself and your loved ones,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Biopreparedness Officer Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP, CHEP. “As we enter respiratory virus season, I encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community, and enjoy the fall season with peace of mind.”
Why is it so important to get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines this year?
- The flu and COVID-19 vaccines have been updated since last year and provide enhanced protection against current variants.
- Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations can reduce the risk of hospitalization and even death.
- Getting infected with the flu can be dangerous and may result in serious illness, hospitalization, and even death. During the 2023-2024 flu season in the United States, the CDC estimates the flu likely resulted in 24-75 million illnesses, 15-33 million medical visits, 380,000-900,000 hospitalizations, and 17,000-100,000 deaths.
- COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease and can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. In 2023, more than 916,300 people were hospitalized, and more than 75,500 people died from COVID-19.
- Flu vaccination during pregnancy helps protect pregnant people from flu during and after pregnancy and helps protect their infants from flu in their first few months of life.
- Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine can help protect pregnant people and their babies from serious illness from COVID-19.
- Vaccination against COVID-19 may prevent long-term side effects called Long COVID, which can include a range of symptoms that last for weeks, months, or even years after infection.
- Vaccinating against the flu and COVID-19 may also protect the people closest to you, including those more vulnerable to severe illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
New Yorkers who want to schedule an appointment or become patients with NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health can call 844-NYC-4NYC.
