Bureaucratic Aches Over Flu Shot

By Renita Crawford

Published: September 30, 2008

Augusta, GA—Getting a flu shot is on the “To Do List” of millions of Georgians but it’s going to be a little harder to get one.

Doctor James Wilde says the old way was better.

Doctor James Wilde, MCG Department of Emergency Medicine:  “It’s been designed that way because we want to encourage people in high risk groups to get their vaccines and that is a very efficient way to get lots of vaccinations very quickly.”

One complaint has changed all that and the Georgia Board of Pharmacy says the flu vaccine is classified as a dangerous drug in Georgia, which means a prescription has been needed all along.

Dr. James Wilde:  “What this ruling has done is cause turmoil within the supermarkets and the pharmacies because they don’t know which way to go.”

Governor Sonny Perdue has stepped in telling pharmacists to continue giving the shots without a prescription and they would not be prosecuted.

Dr. James Wilde:  “That’s fine for the Governor to say but we need something more official for these folks.”

Publix supermarkets will now require customers to have a prescription for a flu shot.  A Kroger spokesperson says the company was studying the rules but at least for now, a prescription will be required.

Dr. James Wilde:  “If you’re going to go to your doctor to get the prescription you might as well go to your doctor and get the vaccine itself. The whole thing is downright silly.”

Walgreens is -not- requiring a prescription and CVS will be operating a number of walk-in clinics.  The shots will be given by a nurse practitioner, no prescription required.

Dr. James Wilde:  “The efficient administration of vaccine is being interrupted by this turmoil. Something needs to be done to simplify this whole thing.”