New York's governor has declared a health emergency over a flu epidemic that has more than 19,000 people ill.
Governor Andrew Cuomo's move on Saturday will allow pharmacists to immunise infants and children and comes amid a nationwide epidemic expected to last several weeks.
There have been at least 28,747 cases reported across the country so far this season, and 20 children have died from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However the true number of cases is likely far higher as many who fall ill do not go to the doctor to get tested.
In hopes of curbing the spread of the potentially lethal virus, Mr Cuomo said it was critical to suspend for the next 30 days a legal limit that usually only allows New York pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to patients 18 years of age or older.
AAP reports that in New York state alone, 19,128 cases have been confirmed this season, a jump from the total of 4404 during the 2011-2012 flu season.
