By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-10-15 16:24:37 | Word Count: 598
The options
* Doctors: Although many health-care providers' offices expect to soon receive swine flu vaccine - and more seasonal flu vaccine, which has been temporarily delayed - neither they nor drugstore chains have gotten much yet. Health officials counsel patience.
* Schools: The majority of school districts around the region are likely to get vaccine and run clinics in their schools beginning in the next several weeks; letters seeking permission will go to all parents beforehand.
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* Public clinics: Several counties plan to provide vaccine* to people in the five high-priority groups** who lack health insurance or can't find vaccine elsewhere.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia orders vaccine from the federal government and directs all distribution within the city. All other counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey must go through their state health department.
* Seasonal flu vaccine is available free to residents who walk in to all nine city-run health centers; hours vary.
* Swine flu vaccine is expected with the same locations and guidelines around the first week of November. All public schools will offer the FluMist* to students; most private and parochial schools are also expected to do so, and perhaps half the charter schools.
Bucks County
* Seasonal flu vaccine shots will be free for ages 9 and over at four sites Saturday, Oct. 17. There may be more later.
* Swine flu vaccine probably will not be available at any county-run clinics. Every public school district plans to run vaccine clinics, initially limited to ages 5 to 9.
Chester County
* Seasonal flu vaccine is available ($20 for adults, free for schoolchildren) at scheduled clinics. Call 610-344-6252.
* Swine flu vaccine will likely be available later at scheduled clinics. Some school districts will have it, too.
Delaware County
* Seasonal flu vaccine shots will be given free to residents at a drive-through clinic in Middletown on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
* Swine flu vaccine will be available free to the uninsured and underinsured at the Delaware County State Health Center in Chester. Some school districts will offer it.
Montgomery County
* Seasonal flu vaccine is available free to residents by appointment at county-run clinics.
* Swine flu vaccine nasal spray is available in limited amounts to children ages 5 to 9 by appointment at county clinics. Some school districts will offer vaccine.
Burlington County
* Seasonal flu vaccine shots will go to ages 18 and over ($15) at a drive-through clinic Saturday, Oct. 17, in Westampton.
* Swine flu vaccine is expected to be available at school clinics beginning in a couple of weeks, with some free public clinics after that.
Camden County
* Seasonal flu vaccine shots are offered free to county residents over 9 at scheduled clinics in several towns.
* Swine flu vaccine will be available free to residents at scheduled clinics beginning mid-November. Most school districts will have it as well.
Gloucester County
* Seasonal flu vaccine will be given free to county residents at drive-through and other clinics in various towns in the coming weeks.
* Swine flu vaccine is expected to be offered free to residents. Some school districts will offer it.
