Updated 10/17/2009 01:00 PM
Judge Ruling Suspends H1N1 Requirement For Health Care Workers
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An Albany judge ordered the state to temporarily hold off on a mandate Friday that requires health care workers to receive vaccines for H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses.
The Supreme Court judge granted the temporary restraining order after hearing cases from three different groups -- the Public Employees Federation, the New York State teacher's union and a group of nurses.
The groups hope to overturn the state's requirement that certain health care workers get the vaccine, or risk losing their jobs.
The judge's ruling is pending a hearing set for October 30.
In a statement, the Department of Health said it is confident the regulation will be upheld.
"Today's action was a temporary order,” said DOH officials in a statement. “In two weeks, the department intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit on its merits.”
Federal officials say the H1N1 flu virus is causing an unprecedented number of illnesses for this time of year.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 11 children died in the past week from the virus, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths in the United States to at least 43 since September.
CDC officials say in years past, only 40 to 50 deaths were reported for the entire flu season.