A nationwide shortage of EpiPens has parents worried about the safety of their children. 

One parent says her 10-year-old son, who is severely allergic to cashews, needs to have an EpiPen with him at all times.

Empress EMS Deputy Chief Michael Blecker tells News 12 that EpiPens have been removed from staff kits because they expired. 

Since the shortage and skyrocketing prices of EpiPens, employees have been using New York state-approved check-and-inject remedies.

Only trained paramedics and EMTs can administer the remedy. 

Although a generic version was approved this week by the FDA, it hasn't hit the market.

According to advocacy surveys, nearly 6 million children in the U.S. have food allergies. That's roughly two children per classroom.