Managing the human toll caused by seasonal influenza: New York state's mandate to vaccinate or mask

摘要

New York State and the nation as a whole experienced one of the worst influenza seasons in a decade during the winter of 2012-2013. In the peak week ending January 19,2013, New York alone reported more than 5000 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza, more than 1120 hospitalizations as a result of influenza, and 5 flu-related pediatric deaths. By the season's end, more than 45 000 cases had been confirmed, more than 9500 people had been hospitalized, and 14 children had died.1