Medical assistants allowed to give some injections temporarily

The state Board of Medical Examiners voted 5-0 today to implement a temporary regulation allowing medical assistants to provide vaccinations and other medical injections, excluding Botox and collagen injections. The regulation would go into effect later today, if signed by Gov. Jim Gibbons as expected. It would be good for 120 days.

However Las Vegas lawyer Jacob Hafter said he would seek a temporary restraining order to prevent implementation of the temporary rule. Hafter said board members failed to follow proper procedure when they cut debate short to leave for other engagments before three speakers had a chance to address them.

State health officials have said that current law does not allow for medical assistants to administer injections, though the practice is widespread.