The New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC) recently adopted the Prevention of Influenza Transmission by Healthcare and Residential Facility and Agency Personnel regulation, which requires all personnel in healthcare and residential facilities who could expose patients to influenza to wear a surgical or procedural mask while in areas where patients or residents may be present, unless they have been vaccinated against influenza for the current influenza season.
Click here to access guidance on the regulation and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
Healthcare providers are required to develop policies and procedures to implement these requirements and provide a report to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) that includes the names of employees covered under the regulation, the influenza vaccination status of all applicable personnel, the names and addresses of those who ordered and/or administered the vaccine to these personnel, along with the date of vaccination. Questions may be directed to FluMaskReg@health.ny.gov.
The first Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Report will be accessible on the Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS) on the Health Commerce System (HCS) on November 1st and must be completed by November 15th. In order to complete the required report, someone at your health center must log into the State’s Health Commerce System and have HERDS access. For details on how to apply for an HCS user account, please click here.
For questions about the Health Commerce System, please e-mail hinhpn@health.state.ny.us or dial 866-529-1890, Option 1.