GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO AID IN H1N1 (Swine) FLU RESPONSE

Governor launches online flu update series for Maryland public

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O'Malley signed an executive order today that will permit state and local jurisdictions to utilize emergency medical personnel and other licensed medical professionals who volunteer to join Maryland's statewide H1N1 (Swine) Flu response effort should their services be needed. Under the order, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, cardiac rescue technicians and other medical professionals could be enlisted to give the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine to the general public if needed.

“We are doing everything in our power to make sure we are prepared to vaccinate every Maryland child and adult who needs and wants this vaccine when supplies allow,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “This flu is a disease that we all must take seriously. Daily vaccine shipments are getting larger and we hope that by the end of November we’ll have enough on hand to make the H1N1 vaccine available to anyone who wants it. As the vaccine availability expands, Maryland will be ready to meet the demand.”

Today’s executive order comes as Governor O’Malley launches the first in a series of web updates on H1N1 (Swine) Flu today, including a status update on the spread of the disease and an urge of patience for Marylanders still waiting to receive a vaccination. To date, state officials have ordered 100% of the vaccines available to Maryland distributors, more than 707,000 doses.

Governor O’Malley’s H1N1 (Swine) Flu update can be viewed here.

Currently, emergency medical personnel are allowed limited legal authority to vaccinate each other, not the general public. In addition to certain first responders, Executive Order 01.01.2009.15 gives the Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) the authority to enlist the aid of other licensed medical professionals to administer the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine as long as they have the training and experience to do so safely and effectively.

“This forward-leaning action gives Maryland more tools we can now call upon to protect our families in a timely, safe and effective manner,” said John M. Colmers, DHMH Secretary. “Should we see the need and opportunity, Maryland’s first responders and medical professionals in every community may be adding ‘flu fighter’ to a long list of public service accomplishments where they work and live.”

In Maryland, the five major target groups for H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccine equal about 2.9 million people. These groups include pregnant women, parents and caregivers for children younger than six months, healthcare and emergency services personnel, people ages 6 months through 24 years, and people aged 25 through 64 who have certain chronic health conditions. H1N1 vaccine is available now, but many Marylanders have grown frustrated with delayed shipments and the slower-than-expected federal distribution.

Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of illness frequently washing of hands, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home if you develop flu-like symptoms.

Complications and death from flu-related illness are more common among those with serious underlying health conditions. If you have a flu-like illness and begin to experience emergency warning signs, contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Emergency warning signs include:

In Children
· Bluish skin color (for fair tones) and grayish skin color (for darker tones)
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
· Fever with a rash

In Adults
· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
· Sudden dizziness or confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting

Governor O’Malley’s H1N1 (Swine) Flu update can be viewed here.