Maimonides Health has announced the availability of updated influenza and Covid-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 season at its primary care centers in Brooklyn. The vaccines are offered to all new and existing patients at several locations, including Maimonides Adult and Pediatric Care Newkirk, Maimonides Adult Primary Care Center, Maimonides Adult and Pediatric Care 7th Avenue, and Maimonides Doctors Multispecialty Pavilion. In addition, all 7,000 employees of Maimonides will have access to both vaccines through Employee Health Services.
This initiative follows New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent executive order that allows pharmacists to administer Covid-19 vaccines to eligible residents across the state. Current state guidance recommends Covid-19 vaccination for children over six months old, adults, and individuals at higher risk such as those who are pregnant or immunocompromised. Vaccination during pregnancy is advised because it can protect newborns from Covid-19 and reduce risks associated with infection during pregnancy.
“While flu and Covid-19 vaccines are not mandatory for most adults and children, they are a critical safeguard against death and serious illness on an individual and community scale,” said Ken Gibbs, President and CEO of Maimonides Health. “We are proud to work alongside the state government in ensuring that these recommended vaccines are available and widely accessible to New Yorkers. Preventive measures like immunizations are key to our mission of keeping our community healthy by reducing incidence and severity of potentially life-threatening illnesses.”
Edward Chapnick, MD, Vice President and Chief Infection Prevention Officer at Maimonides Health added: “Many in our community—patients, families, and hospital staff—have seen firsthand the effects of Covid-19. As physicians, we understand that the risks are still very much present, and that the vaccine effectively reduces these risks. As we move into the fall and winter, we must be vigilant against Covid-19 as well as other respiratory illnesses like influenza, RSV, pneumococcal disease, and more. We’re fortunate to have access to vaccines to prevent these deadly illnesses, and we look toward our community as our partners in ensuring we don’t take these public health advancements for granted.”
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Covid-19 vaccination has prevented more than three million deaths in the United States. The vaccine lowers the risk of contracting Covid-19; for those who do get infected after vaccination, it reduces the likelihood of severe outcomes such as hospitalization or long-term symptoms.
Vaccination also plays a role in protecting people who cannot receive certain immunizations due to medical reasons by helping limit the spread of diseases within communities. Routine vaccinations have been important in achieving herd immunity against diseases like measles; however, when vaccine coverage drops below optimal levels these diseases can re-emerge.
Maimonides Health advises that all adults without medical contraindications should receive annual flu shots; annual Covid-19 vaccinations; RSV vaccine if aged 75 or older (or between 60–75 with underlying conditions); pneumococcal vaccine if aged 65 or older (or younger than 65 with certain conditions); shingles vaccine from age 50; measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or chickenpox vaccine if not immune; as well as tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) boosters every ten years or during each pregnancy.
To address barriers related to socioeconomic status or healthcare access, Maimonides will continue its annual free community vaccination events this fall in partnership with local officials and organizations. Patients can call 718-283-CARE (2273) to check insurance coverage for immunizations at outpatient centers or call 718-283-9055 for appointments.
