H1N1 vaccine availability
expanded
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[December 11, 2009]
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois
Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold announced
that beginning Tuesday, all Illinoisans will be eligible to receive
an H1N1 flu vaccination. In addition to local health departments and
private physicians, Illinoisans will be able to go to many retail
pharmacies for H1N1 flu vaccinations starting no later than Dec. 21.
On Tuesday, the Logan County Department of Public
Health will begin offering the H1N1 vaccine to anyone
who has not yet been vaccinated. The health department
also has an ample supply of the seasonal flu
vaccine. The H1N1 flu vaccine is free, and the seasonal
flu vaccine is $30, or free to those with a medical card
or Medicare. The health department, 109 Third St., is open Monday-Friday
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. |
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"For the past two months, local health departments, hospitals and
physicians have worked diligently to reach those considered most at
risk for serious H1N1 flu illness by holding walk-in, drive-up,
school-based and appointment-only clinics," Arnold said. "With more
vaccine arriving each week, we are now encouraging providers to
begin offering H1N1 vaccine on Dec. 15 to all Illinoisans who have
not yet been vaccinated."
From now until Tuesday, providers who received H1N1 vaccine will
continue to focus vaccination efforts exclusively on serving the
needs of the priority population groups -- health care and emergency
medical service workers who provide direct patient care; pregnant
women; people who live with or care for children less than 6 months
of age; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years
of age with chronic medical conditions.
Beginning Tuesday, these individuals will continue to be eligible
for vaccination, along with all other Illinoisans who are not in the
risk groups. Local providers will have flexibility to determine if
it is necessary to continue prioritizing the vaccine for the at-risk
populations, based on the needs in their local area.
The Illinois Department of Public Health evaluated several
factors before making the decision to lift restrictions on vaccine
eligibility, including prior vaccine distribution, feedback from
local health departments, and discussions with other state and U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health officials.
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Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, typically
between $12 and $22. This fee is covered by most health insurance.
People should bring their health insurance information with them to
the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to their
insurance company for reimbursement. Those without health insurance
can receive an H1N1 flu vaccination free of charge at all local
health departments in Illinois.
For a list of public H1N1 vaccination sites and clinic times, as
well as additional information on the 2009 H1N1 flu, visit
www.ready.illinois.gov.
With questions about the H1N1 flu, call the Illinois Flu Hotline
at 866-848-2094. Translators are available.
[Text from
Illinois Department of Public Health
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information; additional information from
Logan County Department of Public
Health]
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