Because of the lack of the H1N1 vaccine available to people across the state, the New York Health Department has decided to change a state law so more people can get vaccinated, quicker.
Since 2008 the New York State Department of Health has not allowed pregnant women and children under three to be given vaccines with Thimerosal in them.
Thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative that keeps bacteria out of the vaccine.
The ban was enacted so studies could be done on whether Thimerosal was linked to autism.
No link has been found.
Because the H1N1 vaccine can be made quicker with Thimersol in it, all injectable versions of the shot given out will contain Thimerosal.
However, the department of health says close to 380,000 doses of the thimerosal-free vaccine is expected to be available in the state by late November.
