Select Dayton-area Walmart stores started offering H1N1 flu shots on Wednesday to people in targeted high-risk groups, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Ohio Department of Health released the vaccine in October to Mollen Immunization Clinics, which is administering the shots at 10 area Walmart stores through Friday, Nov. 20, said John Roehm, chief executive of the company.
The shots are the first H1N1 vaccine available from a commercial provider in the Dayton market, according to Kristopher Weiss, ODH spokesman.
“We had no idea it was a big-box retailer. We thought it was a physician,” Weiss said.
Each Walmart store will have approximately 130 shots available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Roehm.
The vaccine is free, but there is a $15 administration fee. Medicaid, Medicare or private health plans may cover part or all of the fee, Roehm said.
There was no waiting on Wednesday when Cathy Hollkamp of Fairborn received her H1N1 shot at the Beavercreek Walmart.
Hollkamp wanted to get the shot after reading about “perfectly healthy people being affected with the swine flu,” she said.
“I just feel better that I got it,” Hollkamp said.
Targeted groups include pregnant women; people who live with or care for infants under 6 months; health care or emergency medical services personnel; people ages 6 months through 24 years; and people ages 25 through 64 with chronic medical conditions such as lung or heart disease, diabetes or other immuno-compromised conditions.
Clinics will be held Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walmart stores at 3360 New Germany Trebein Road in Beavercreek; 1801 West Main St. in Troy; and 1501 Wagoner Ave. in Greenville.
Clinics are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walmart stores at 6244 Wilmington Pike in Centerville; 2400 W. Michigan St. in Sidney; and 2281 S. Main St. in Bellefontaine.
Clinics are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walmart stores at 8800 Kingsridge Drive in Miamisburg; 2100 N. Bechtle Ave. in Springfield; 200 S. Tuttle Road in Springfield; and 1300 E. Ash St. in Piqua.
Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Mollen conducts seasonal immunization clinics at thousands of Walmart stores nationwide.
Customers can find dates, times and locations for the H1N1 clinics at www.flushotsusa.walmart.com.
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