8-Ball sez: Signs point to ‘Yes’.
First, in the spirit of full disclosure allow me to stipulate that I’ve ‘got a dog in this fight’ as I’m close to someone who works for Walgreen’s. Although said someone worked for Happy Harry’s for 20 years and greatly admires Alan Levin as well.
Now, follow me on this. The single largest source of immunizers in Delaware (aka the people who give the shots) is/are the pharmacists at Walgreen’s. Why? Because the corporation that Alan Levin and the Markell folks love to hate (and with at least some good reason) had the bright idea to get the preponderance of their Delaware pharmacists (at least 150 or so) trained and certified as such. Walgreen’s pharmacists provided the majority of flu shots (the normal one) to adults in Delaware this year. Love ’em or hate ’em, that proved to be a damned smart business decision.
Now we’ve got the H1N1 vaccine, and, while there is a shortage in Delaware, there are many schools that have yet to immunize any kids, including the school my daughter goes to. And while the ‘first wave’ of the H1N1 virus has ebbed somewhat, immunologists predict that there are likely two more waves to come. The State, as near as can be figured out, is trying to use pediatricians’ offices and school nurses as the chief immunizers, and with limited success due to the limited amount of immunizers. There appear to be sufficient quantities of vaccine available to immunize a helluva lot more at-risk kids (if not all) than are currently immunized, shortages and all. What’s lacking are the people to deliver the shots.
So why isn’t the State using the largest source of immunizers to, you know, immunize? Pharmacists already take their ‘show on the road’ and are ready, willing and able to do the same for schools. They are already trained to administer the shots to those aged 9 and over. That would address most of the kids and teens in the key ‘at-risk’ group.
One act from the Governor would make this possible. President Obama has already declared an H1N1 emergency, enabling certain steps to be taken to battle the epidemic, and granting to state governments the power to do likewise.
If Governor Jack Markell does the same, it will enable pharmacists who are fully trained and certified to administer the vaccine to those aged 9 and older to do so. As of now, State law limits them to administering shots to those aged 18 and older.
I find it hard to believe that the State will allow hubris to stand in the way of doing the right thing.