Afraid of being overwhelmed by the upcoming flu pandemic the , Massachusetts Public Health Council considered drastic measures to cope with the possible deluge of people demanding flu shots.
The Council has adopted emergency measures to encourage first responders to get their flu and swine flu vaccinations.
The state is expected to get 9 million doses of the flu vaccine, which is three times the amount of last year.
Concerned that the two separate vaccines that will be needed will stretch the system past the breaking point the council also voted to “deputize” dentists, pharmacists and paramedics and add them to the list of those authorized to administer vaccines.