State Representative Kristina Daley Roegner (R-Hudson) has announced that Governor John Kasich  signed into law House Bill 244, which permits authorized paramedics to administer immunizations for influenza to firefighters or emergency medical technicians.

Under current Ohio law, local fire and EMS departments need to hire contractors to provide the immunizations. House Bill 244 provides an option that fire and EMS departments currently do not have, which will offer increased flexibility for scheduling purposes as well as cost savings.

"I am delighted to see House Bill 244 signed into law,” said Rep. Roegner, who sponsored the legislation with Representative Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville). “This is a common-sense bill that not only provides cost savings and scheduling flexibility for local fire departments and paramedics, but also should protect the public, whom they serve, from contracting the flu.”

House Bill 244 had passed unanimously from the House in January.