Res 0273-2026

Whereas, COVID-19 and the flu are still a threat to New York City (NYC) residents, with more than 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases per week in March of 2026 and with the flu killing 1,500 to 2,000 NYC residents a year, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH); and Whereas, According to DOHMH, the human papillomavirus (HPV) increases the risk of various cancers including: (1) cervical; (2) anal; (3) vaginal: (4) oropharyngeal; (5) vulvar; and (6) penile, and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with over 40 million people currently infected and with historical rates of infection before the HPV vaccine became available between 80 percent and 90 percent; and Whereas, According to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, childhood vaccination rates are still below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels; and Whereas, In NYC, for example, according to DOHMH, influenza vaccination rates for children aged six months to 17 years have fallen from 51 percent at the end of 2020-2021 flu season to just 43 percent at the end of the 2024-2025 flu season; and Whereas, This decline is particularly concerning in light of the current, record-breaking flu season according to DOHMH, and that last flu season was the deadliest for children on record, with 289 dying from the virus nationwide, 89 percent of whom were unvaccinated; and Whereas, According to an article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, during the COVID-19 pandemic, all 50 states authorized dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, and while the end of the public health emergency meant that these special provisions were lifted, several states have passed legislation authorizing dentists to administer some vaccines and more states are expected to follow suit; and Whereas, According to the New York State Education Department, the educational requirements for licensure as a dentist in New York State are roughly equivalent to the educational requirements for licensure as a pharmacist in NYC, and licensed pharmacists are permitted to administer certain vaccinations if they obtain an additional certification; and Whereas, According to ABC News, despite assurances from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about COVID-19 vaccine access, confusion about regulations left some pharmacies reticent and selective in their provision of vaccines, threatening access and highlighting the need for more points of access; and Whereas, To provide more points of access to vaccinations, State Senator Toby Anne Stavisky and Assemblymember David I. Weprin introduced two bills in the New York State Senate and Assembly, respectively; and Whereas, The first bill, S.4548/A.3892, would authorize dentists to administer vaccinations preventing HPV; and Whereas, The second bill, S.6744A/A.3894A, would authorize dentists to administer influenza vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, and any vaccination related to a declared public health emergency; and Whereas, Both bills would expand access to vaccines, which are crucial to the protection of NYC and its residents' health and wellness; and Whereas, S.4548 passed the State Senate on February 3, 2026, and was delivered to the State Assembly; now, therefore, be it Resolved that the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Assembly to pass A.3892, the New York State Legislature to pass S.6744A/A.3894A, and the Governor to sign S.4548/A.3892 and S.6744A/A.3894A, legislation authorizing dentists to administer influenza vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, human papillomavirus vaccines, or a vaccine related to a public health emergency. JN LS 20718 4/22/2026 10:42AM