FAQFIP is a collaboration between the Borough President’s office, the New York City Health Commissioner, Flushing Hospital, Jamaica Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, North Shore–Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Peninsula Hospital, Queens Health Network/ Elmhurst and Queens Hospital Centers and Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers. The American Lung Association of Queens is serving as FAQFIP Coordinator.

FAQFIP was established in response to a summer recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that local communities form coalitions in order to ensure flu shots for at risk populations—primarily senior citizens, persons with asthma and other children/adults with compromised immune systems. This recommendation was made knowing that the 2000 supply of influenza vaccine would be late and possibly in short supply, Queens was the only borough in New York City to form such a coalition.

It is expected that representatives from the participating hospitals will be present at the kickoff, as well as Claire Shulman, Queens borough president; Neal Cohen. M.D., New York City health commissioner and Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn, whose district includes Pomonok Senior Center. Some 100 senior citizens will be immunized at the kickoff. Shulman, will be immunized as well.