Health officials would have new power in flu pandemic
March 10, 2006, 2:14 PM EST, By CANDICE CHOI

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Health officials would be given additional powers to react to a pandemic flu, including the authority to train civilians to deliver immunizations and other medical care, state Health Commissioner Antonia Novello said Friday.

Under forthcoming legislation, the health commissioner and local health officials would be able to authorize unlicensed people to deliver immunizations and other medical care.

Experts say that more than half the hospital staff statewide would not show up to work in the case of a disease outbreak with no known cure.
.........
The 400-page emergency plan emphasizes the critical role of local agencies in the state's reaction to a pandemic. Some local leaders have said they do not have the resources to take the actions outlined in the plan. [my emphasis]
__________

On the Net: www.pandemicflu.gov