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March 03, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Pharmacy Official: Let Us Vaccinate"

Maryland Daily Record (www.mddailyrecord.com) (02/28/03) Vol. 114, No. 121, P. 1A; Dickens, Patrice

David A. Knapp, dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, is calling for state legislation that would allow Maryland pharmacists to vaccinate people during a bioterrorism attack; currently they may only dispense medications.  Thirty-six states allow pharmacists to vaccinate people on doctors' orders and to give flu shots without doctor authorization.  In the past, bills have been introduced on the issue, but they were opposed by doctors' groups and did not pass.  No bill has yet been introduced during this General Assembly session.  Maryland Poison Center director of operations Dr. Bruce Anderson says that it makes sense for pharmacists to be involved should a bioterrorism attack take place, given that pharmacies are located all over the state.  Pharmacists have also volunteered for training as part of Maryland's emergency preparedness efforts.

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