New York has declared a polio emergency in an effort to increase vaccination rates, after signs of the virus spreading when it was found in sewage samples in Nassau County on Long Island. The executive order, signed Friday by Gov. Kathy Hotchul, expands the network of vaccine administrators to include emergency physicians, midwives and pharmacists. Physicians and registered nurses will be able to issue standing orders for the non-patient-specific polio vaccine, the New York Department of Health said in a statement. “In polio, we just can’t roll the dice,” said Health Commissioner Mary Bassett. “If you or your child are unvaccinated or up-to-date on immunizations, the risk of crippling disease is real. I urge New Yorkers to take absolutely no risk.” New Yorkers who have already completed their polio vaccine series should receive a lifetime booster after coming into close contact with a person suspected of being infected with the virus, the department said. The department also recommends boosters for health care workers in Rockland County, Orange County, Sullivan County, Nassau County and New York City who may handle specimens containing polio viruses or who treat patients who may have they have polio. People with occupational exposure to wastewater “may consider boosting.”
