SAN ANTONIO -- The cost of the H1N1 vaccine has been paid for by the government. So, it is supposed to be free for all of us, right? Well, not exactly. The reason? Lots and lots of paperwork.
Dr. David Gude at the Texas MedClinic says they're having to charge patients a $19.00 administrative fee because of all the administrative work the government and the state require for the H1N1 vaccine.
Providers also have to supply information to the CDC about every single patient who received the vaccine. Multiply all of that by 35,000, the number of doses the Texas MedClinic is expecting to get.
The Texas MedClinic is not accepting insurance to cover the H1N1 cost, but many other clinics do. Check with your doctor.
If you don't have insurance and can't afford the administrative fee, San Antonio Metro Health District officials say community clinics and school districts will be able to provide shots at no cost when they receive the vaccine.
