Mount Sinai South Nassau Infectious Disease Expert Says Flu Remains a Killer; Urges Vaccination
Warning that “the flu remains a killer,” Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, urged eligible residents to get vaccinated today. He spoke at the launch of the hospital’s annual Vaxmobile Fall campaign, which provides flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The event was held at the Hispanic Brotherhood at Our Lady of Loretto RC Parish in Hempstead.
On September 10, 2026, New York State Department of Health announced its endorsement of the recommendations for flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 immunizations recently released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Infectious Diseases Society of America, in collaboration with the American Medical Association and the Vaccine Integrity Project.
“Immunization during respiratory virus season is one of the most effective ways for New Yorkers to protect themselves from serious illnesses, especially young children, older adults, those with certain risk factors, and pregnant people,” said Aaron E. Glatt, Chair, Department of Medicine, at Mount Sinai South Nassau. Everyone 6 months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine. An RSV immunization is recommended for infants at birth and those under 8 months if their pregnant parent did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy; children 8 to 19 months in certain risk groups; adults 50 to 74 years in certain risk groups and all adults 75 years of age and older if they have not received an RSV vaccine previously; and pregnant people in their first eligible pregnancy. Most people 6 months and older should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially important for young children (6 to 23 months), children and adults with risk factors that put them at elevated risk of severe disease, older adults, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems.
The Vaxmobile has been operating since March 2021, visiting communities such as Elmont, Uniondale, Hempstead, Freeport, Long Beach Westbury, and Baldwin to bring more than 15,000 COVID-19 vaccines directly to residents. It now offers vaccines and a wide array of other community health screenings to everyone from two years of age and older at community centers, senior centers, churches, high schools, firehouses, and local colleges. The Town of Hempstead first funded the Vaxmobile in January 2021 with $695,042 from the federal CARES Act through the Town of Hempstead. Funding was continued into 2024.
Getting vaccinated is as simple as scheduling an appointment with the Vaxmobile. To find out when the Vaxmobile will be in your community, call Mount Sinai South Nassau Community Education at 516-377-5333 or send an email to [email protected].
