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In early September, the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy and the CompositeState Board of Medical Examiners issued statements that the influenza vaccineis a "dangerous drug" and therefore requires a patient-specific prescription.This classification called into question the legality of nurses administeringthe flu vaccine without a patient specific script.
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Dedicated to making the flu vaccine available at convenient locations forGeorgia residents, Maxim contacted its retained counsel, Robert Highsmith andPaul Vranicar of Holland & Knight LLP. Highsmith and Vranicar worked withGeorgia Governor Sonny Perdue and the Division of Public Health (DPH) of theDepartment of Human Resources to enter into an agency agreement with Maxim toinvoke a provision of Georgia law allowing nurses who are agents of the DPH toorder and dispense "dangerous drugs" under nurse protocols. In essence, thisagreement permits Maxim nurses to continue administering flu shots in Georgiawithout patient-specific prescriptions.
The Governor also issued a public statement calling on "healthcareprofessionals [to] act in the best interests of public health and continueprior practices" concerning the administration of flu shots. As a result ofthe Governor's decisive action and the cooperation of the Division of PublicHealth, Maxim customers will not experience any impact on the quality ofservices they have come to expect or the quantity of flu shots available thisflu season.
Maxim has partnered with local Georgia retail stores, a list of which canbe found at http://www.FindAFluShot.com, as part of a national campaign tooffer immunizations at more than 25,000 retail locations across the U.S. Theprogram aims to increase the number of people who get vaccinated, a stepdetermined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as thesingle most effective way to prevent flu. Maxim's Web site,http://www.FindAFluShot.com, helps users quickly locate nearby vaccinationsites by simply entering their zip code. This will provide users with theaddress, driving directions, dates, and times for flu shots at local clinics.The Web site also provides the latest news on influenza and links to otherresources to learn more about the flu and prevention strategies.
Each year as many as 65 million Americans fall victim to influenza andflu-related complications, such as pneumonia. This results in approximately200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths, which is more than the number ofAmericans who die each year from breast cancer, and two to three times as manyas those who die from HIV/AIDS.(1) Everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated,especially individuals considered to be at higher risk. The CDC defines thosewith an increased risk of developing influenza-related complications as:
"We believe that everyone who can, should get a flu shot and we especiallyencourage those in high-risk categories along with their family members to getvaccinated," says Steve Pellito, National Director of Maxim Health Systems.
For those who prefer to find a convenient location over the phone, Maximprovides a toll free number at 877-962-9358. Maxim also offers clinics tocorporations, senior living facilities, schools, and Physicians' offices tohelp create ease of access and ensure those at highest risk of contracting theflu have ample resources available to obtain a vaccination.
About Maxim Health Systems
Maxim Health Systems is a division of Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc.Established in 1996, Maxim Health Systems offers a full line of comprehensivewellness services to corporate and retail clients, in addition to schools,senior living facilities, and Physicians' offices. We provide a variety ofservices including immunizations, health screenings and health fairs. In 2007,our flu immunization program alone was responsible for vaccinating more than2.9 million people at almost 47,000 clinics. Together with Maxim HealthcareServices, we have branch locations in most metropolitan areas across thenation. For more information contact us athttp://www.FindAFluShot.com/contact.php.
(1) Poland, GA. 2007. New Approaches to Influenza Vaccine Production.2007; 4-6-- Children aged 6 months -- 18 years old -- Pregnant women -- People 50 years of age and older -- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions -- People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities
SOURCE Maxim Health Systems
