By OWEN BOSS
Staff Writer
BOSTON — As reported cases of the H1N1 virus continue to decrease and vaccine shipments from the Center for Disease Control become larger, the state’s Department of Public Health announced plans Thursday to hold public swine flu clinics for all residents. Some of those clinics will take place this weekend.
Before Thursday, vaccines for the illness were being administered only to residents at high-risk for complications, including pregnant women, children, health care workers and the siblings of infants.
However, several large vaccine shipments over the last two weeks have increased the number of doses in the Bay State to over 2 million, with another 1.5 million expected before the end of January — spurring public clinics open to all residents, regardless of whether they are in a priority group.
“We will continue to distribute the vaccines to local health care clinics until we reach the anticipated 3.5 million doses,” said John Jacob, a spokesman for the department. “Our goal is to make the vaccine available to anyone who wishes to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.”
Although the department said it plans to hold the bulk of its large-scale flu clinics for all residents in early January, some local clinics targeting high-priority residents this month may expand participation to all residents.
Jacob said vaccinations at all flu clinics will be provided free of charge and that people with health insurance are encouraged to bring their insurance cards. Those who don’t have an insurance card, or forget to bring it, still will be vaccinated for free, he said.
To see a list of clinics planned for Hampshire County, residents are encouraged to visit www.mass.gov/flu or call 2-1-1.
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com
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