The World Health Organization (WHO) declared in June 2009 that the novel H1N1 virus had reached the scientific criteria for a pandemic. The virus is contagious, spreading easily from person to person and from one country to another. As of June, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases had been reported in 74 countries. The declaration was not an indication of the severity of the disease, but rather an indication of its scope.
President Obama signed a proclamation on Oct. 24, 2009, declaring the H1N1 pandemic a national emergency. The declaration will waive certain federal requirements to make it easier for health agencies to provide vaccinations and treatment. Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued several waivers on Oct. 29, 2009, one of which would allow healthcare professionals to provide services in states in which they are not licensed. Again, the emergency declaration indicates the scope rather than the severity of the disease.
New York Governor David Paterson declared a State Disaster Emergency on Oct. 29, 2009, to support the effort to conduct mass immunizations against H1N1 influenza.
Under existing law, physicians, certified nurse practitioners and nurses may administer vaccinations. The Governor’s executive order will permit other healthcare workers – including physician and specialist assistants, pharmacists, dentists, certain dental hygienists, midwives and emergency medical personnel – to administer vaccinations after they receive training. They will work under the direction of the State or county health departments as part of sponsored mass vaccination clinics.
The order also authorizes school-based health centers to vaccinate adults and children, and allows hospitals to operate part-time immunization clinics on school campuses.
ServNY
Nurses are encouraged to register for ServNY, the state’s registry of healthcare and mental health professionals who wish to volunteer during an emergency. By registering, you are notifying the state that you are open to the idea of volunteering; it does not guarantee that you will be called upon or that you are obligated to participate if you are called.