Saturday, November 8, 2025
Flu season arrived early at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital, where prevention took center stage.
On Sept. 19, the hospital held a flu vaccination event, offering free shots to the public, including patients, visitors and staff. The initiative ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the outdoor patio connecting the main hospital and the Orzac Rehabilitation Center.
Hospital leadership, including President Jason Tan and Chief Nursing Officer Kate O’Neill, received their vaccinations during the event.
“We want to protect our employees, protect our loved ones, make sure that they’re healthy, we need our team members to be strong, to be healthy, to care for others,” Tan said. “By setting that example, hopefully the community will also jump on board, seeing healthcare team workers getting the vaccine, they see the president of the hospital promoting it, seeing how easy it is, seeing how simple it is, and making sure that I can set an example for others to get the vaccine.”
Hospital officials described the initiative as a joint effort across multiple departments, including pharmacy, nursing leadership, patient experience, employee health and Orzac Rehabilitation Center. Pharmacy Director Jason Li explained that while he helped coordinate the logistics, the event’s success reflected collaboration across the hospital.
The decision to expand access followed significant increases in flu activity locally and nationally. LIJVS reported more than 10 times the historical average of flu cases in the 2024–25 season compared with years before 2020. Admissions for flu through the emergency department were more than five times higher than in previous years, reflecting the broader trends reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The 2024–25 season has been classified as high severity for all age groups, marking the first such classification since the 2017–18 season. The CDC estimated between 47 and 82 million illnesses nationwide, as well as 610,000 to 1.3 million hospitalizations and up to 130,000 deaths. The cumulative hospitalization rate for the season was the highest observed since 2010–11.
New York State recorded 33,569 hospitalizations and 1,006 deaths attributed to influenza, including 25 pediatric deaths. Across the country, 246 pediatric deaths were reported, the highest number in a non-pandemic flu season since mandatory reporting began in 2004. 90 percent of pediatric deaths occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated.
Early vaccination is essential, according to Li, since it generally takes about two weeks for immunity to develop. By holding the event in September, the hospital aimed to ensure coverage before flu activity typically peaks during the colder months, usually November through February, and during holiday gatherings.
“We want people to be spreading cheer and joy, not the flu or any other preventable diseases,” Li said. “Getting vaccinated is really the best way of doing it. There’s no better way at preventative health.”
Hospital representatives underscored that influenza can lead to complications such as pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and worsening of chronic conditions, including asthma, heart failure and diabetes. Vaccination remains the most effective tool for reducing illness, limiting transmission and protecting vulnerable groups.
By providing free vaccines, LIJVS showed its dedication to supporting community health during a flu season projected to be among the most severe in recent years.
