Dentists, Paramedics Can Now Administer Flu Vaccines

In anticipation of a heavy flu season, state public health officials have broadened the categories of health care providers who can administer flu vaccines.

The regulation approved Wednesday will let dentists, pharmacists, paramedics, nursing students and medical students vaccinate people against the flu.

Lauren Smith, medical director for the state's public health department, says allowing more types of health care workers to give vaccines should reduce infection rates.

"The sole purpose is to increase our capacity to have as many vaccination locations and programs and clinics as possible so that we can do as many people as quickly in as many places as possible," Smith said. "So by expanding the pool, that allows us to do that."

State public health officials say vaccines for the seasonal flu should be available later this month or early next month. An H1N1 swine flu vaccine is now being tested nationally and should be ready by October.