Nov 6, 2009 7:03 pm US/Eastern
O'Malley Signs Executive Order On Swine Flu
RANDALLSTOWN, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Gov. Martin O'Malley has signed an executive order to enlist extra medical personnel to administer swine flu vaccinations, if needed.
CBS
Maryland residents continue to wait as the state deals with a massive shortage of the H1N1 vaccine.
But as
Weijia Jiang reports, the governor is already taking serious steps to prepare for when the doses do arrive.
H1N1 flu is in every community in our state, every corner of our state.
Governor Martin O'Malley launched the first of many weekly H1N1 video updates Friday on the state health department's website.
He also issued an executive order that allows all medical professionals to serve as vaccinators in case of an emergency.
The Centers for Disease Control reports H1N1 is now widespread in 48 states, including Maryland. Despite a national shortage of vaccine, the gap between supply and demand is slowly closing -- a result of clinics like one held in Randallstown on Friday. About 2,500 young people received FluMist at that clinic. Harford County also held a community clinic at Ripken Stadium.
"Our school has had a few cases, and I didn't want to get sick," said Mark Coulbourne.
"I think it's a good thing for parents to do to help the safety of your children and help the safety of others, too," said Colleen Mahony.
The state health department says from this point on, it should be easier for jurisdictions to schedule flu clinics because Maryland is ordering a consistent number of doses.
As of Friday morning, the state has received more than 700,000 vaccines, enough to treat 24 percent of those considered more at risk.
"We put them in people's arms or up their nose as quickly as we can. We know the importance of vaccinating our priority groups and our constituents, and we take this seriously," said Dr. Gregory Branch, Baltimore County Health Department.
Although the vaccine situation is improving, officials are still canceling clinics almost daily. The state hopes to have a million doses by the end of the month.
The next mass clinic in the area is in Baltimore City on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Church in the 6000-block of Radecke Avenue. There are 2,000 doses available. But as always, it's first come first served.
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