BRATTLEBORO -- Uninsured New Hampshire residents will be able to receive free flu shots after the state was chosen as one of 15 markets to receive the free vaccinations through a program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that the vouchers will be available to anyone in the state without insurance.
The national program is a partnership between HHS and Walgreens, where the vouchers can be redeemed.
Any New Hampshire resident without insurance can call 211 to find the nearest location where the vouchers can be picked up.
New Hampshire Public Health Director Dr. Jose Montero said there is a wide discrepancy between people with and without insurance who get vaccinated and he hopes the program will be able to close that gap.
"Unfortunately in New Hampshire there is a difference in the influenza vaccination rate between whites and minorities and between individuals with insurance and those without," Montero said. "This is a great opportunity for us to increase the rate of vaccination among the uninsured and decrease the number of people who will get the flu this year."
Walgreens donated $10 million in vouchers, which HHS expects will reach 350,000 uninsured people in the 15 markets.
New Hampshire was the only market in New England chosen for the program, which also includes Newark, N.J., Bronx, N.Y., and Chicago,
Ill.
The markets were chosen based on existing vaccination disparities as well as the availability of HHS infrastructure and resources in the area.
Montero said he hoped the program would be able to reach those who have not had flu shots in the past, and the state would be able to gather data to continue serving that population into the future.
"This project will not only increase the vaccination rate but also help DHHS learn new ways to reach out to individuals who currently cannot access vaccines."
There will be 5,000 vouchers available across New Hampshire and anyone who is nine years old or older and uninsured is eligible. The program will run until April 15, or until all of the vouchers have been distributed.
Flu activity in New Hampshire through Jan. 22, the most recent available information, was regional, which means that influenza outbreaks were reported in less than half of the state’s regions.
In Vermont, flu activity is widespread, and the Department of Health is continuing to recommend that everyone get a flu shot.
Vermont has reported some cases of H1N1 this year, though the general vaccine this year protects against the H1 N1 strain.
Vermont was not chosen as one of the markets to receive the free flu vouchers, though the state does have a few programs to help the uninsured and low income people, with receiving the vaccine. The average cost, according to a representitive from Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, runs in the $25 range, though it depends on a persons’ insurance, needs, and risk factors.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont donates funds for people at high risk of complications of influenza, served through public clinics.
And the Vermont Department of Health provides reimbursements for syringes and needles used for people at high risk who are vaccinated at the public clinics.
Children are also covered under a state program.
Last year more than 23,000 flu shots were administered across the state in private and public clinics.
Of those, 1,678, or just more than 7 percent, were eligible for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield donation.
Visiting Nurses and Hospice of New Hampshire and Vermont host clinics that cover 70 towns in the two states.
VNA Spokeswoman Gaye LaCasce said the group always finds a way to get a vaccination to anyone who wants one.
"We never say no to anyone," said LaCasse. "We work to vaccinate people who want it. That is what we do."
Howard Weiss-Tisman can be reached at hwtisman@reform-er.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 279.
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