Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law today the Access to Flu Vaccines Act. The law gives the governor power to declare a “pandemic influenza” state of emergency. That would come if the World Health Organization declares a Phase 5 Pandemic Alert for influenza or the Centers for Disease Control declares at least a Category 2 Pandemic Severity index for influenza, whether in the United States or Georgia.
The new law also allows pharmacists and registered nurses to order and dispense flu shots without a doctor's prescription. This was the case in the state until last fall, when the Composite Board of Medical Examiners classified the flu vaccine as a "dangerous drug." That classification made individual prescriptions a necessity.
Now pharmacists and nurses can enter into "protocol agreements" with physicians. This gives businesses, like small clinics in grocery stores and drug stores, the ability to offer flu shots without a prescription.
In a press release, Perdue says the new law gives more access to the vaccine and "allows the state to respond quickly and effectively to any flu outbreak.”
The new law also allows pharmacists and registered nurses to order and dispense flu shots without a doctor's prescription. This was the case in the state until last fall, when the Composite Board of Medical Examiners classified the flu vaccine as a "dangerous drug." That classification made individual prescriptions a necessity.
Now pharmacists and nurses can enter into "protocol agreements" with physicians. This gives businesses, like small clinics in grocery stores and drug stores, the ability to offer flu shots without a prescription.
In a press release, Perdue says the new law gives more access to the vaccine and "allows the state to respond quickly and effectively to any flu outbreak.”
