PORT ANGELES — Special H1N1 swine flu clinics are coming up in both Clallam and Jefferson counties, with Clallam health officials waiving the administrative fee.
Swine flu vaccine is free since its creation was funded by taxpayers, but an administrative fee of $10 to $20 can be charged.
Clallam County
Clallam County is offering free clinics to recognize National Influenza Vaccination Week, which is Sunday through Saturday.
The Clallam County clinics will be from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday as well as on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 at the health and human services office in the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
The Clallam County health office does not provide seasonal flu vaccine for adults.
Jefferson County
Jefferson Healthcare’s Overflow Clinic will conduct a walk-in clinic at 915 Sheridan St. in Port Townsend from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Jefferson County bills insurance for the swine flu administrative fee.
Those without insurance or who have insurance that won’t pay the fee will not be charged for swine flu shots.
Both seasonal flu and swine flu shots will be available at the Port Townsend clinic on Saturday.
For seasonal flu shots, Medicare patients are asked to bring their Medicare cards.
All others must pay $25 cash or check. Private insurance will not be billed for seasonal flu shots.
Jefferson County Public Health, at 615 Sheridan St. in Port Townsend, also offers general immunization walk-in clinics from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A walk-in clinic for flu shots only is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Flu shots can also be arranged by appointment between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday.
Now plentiful
H1N1 swine flu shots are also available at medical clinics and pharmacies in Jefferson and Clallam counties and at the Clallam health department office in Forks.
H1N1 vaccine is now plentiful, and Dr. Tom Locke, Jefferson-Clallam counties health officer, strongly recommends that children 6 months and older and adults get shots to protect themselves before the virus returns for its expected third wave later this winter.
In December, health officials did vaccination clinics for all school districts in Clallam County.
Children younger than 10 need a second vaccination to be fully covered.
Clinics at the county courthouse in Port Angeles on Tuesday and Wednesday and on Jan. 19-20 will also serve children in need of their boosters.
The Forks office will also provide boosters.
To schedule an appointment or for more information from the Jefferson public health office, phone 360-385-9400 or click on www.jeffersoncountypublic health.org
For more information about vaccinations in Clallam County, click on www.clallam.net/news/swineflu.html or phone the Clallam County Health and Human Services office in Port Angeles at 360-417-2274 or the Forks office at 360-374-3121.