Thank you for the opportunity to offer comments regarding an initiative as important as Elijah's Law - SB 737.  Having worked closely with state government, like New York, to develop and implement programs geared towards educating, preparing, and responding to a life threatening allergic event, like anaphylaxis, for child care centers, has had a direct impact in saving lives.  Since Elijah's Law was signed into law in NY more than two years ago we have been able to save the lives of six people, five children and one staff member, all because there was  training, support, and Auvi-Q auto-injectors for each person's weight range.  Without the Auvi-Q auto-injector program there could have been six people who needlessly died but it doesn't have to be that way if daycare centers are trained on the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, and provided the necessary life saving epinephrine auto-injectors, Auvi-Q.  

Having been the partner NY awarded to manage the auto-injector program we, HealthFirst (Mukilteo, WA), has direct knowledge and experience managing thousands of locations ensuring centers have the correct weight based Auvi-Q and manage replacements of any medications used in an emergency, damaged or lost, or expired.  We work closely with the state ensuring training requirements are met and advise and consult to increase program participation. 

Working closely with another state means we have learned what works best, what doesn't, and how to protect children and staff from an allergic emergency and would be happy to share what we learned with the Commonwealth of Virginia.  

Thank you for taking on such an important initiative and helping keep children healthy and safe.

Neb Malcolm - HealthFirst (Mukilteo, WA) - neb.malcolm@healthfirst.com