L.A. County to open swine flu clinics Friday for the uninsured

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will hold its first swine flu clinics Friday in Encino and Culver City intended for uninsured, high-risk residents, officials said.

The Balboa Sports Complex at 17015 Burbank Boulevard in Encino will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at 4117 Overland Ave. in Culver City will receive patients from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The vaccination program will expand to 13 sites Saturday. A full list of H1N1 inoculation sites scheduled through early November is on the department's website. Those without access to the Internet can call 2-1-1 to find their nearest H1N1 clinic.

Health officer Jonathan Fielding said those with insurance or those not in the priority groups are not guaranteed inoculations at the L.A. County H1N1 clinics. L.A. County health officials are focusing on immunizing uninsured people most at risk for infection, including pregnant women, those from 6 months to 24 years old, and adults between the ages of 25 and 64 who have chronic health problems.

Because infants younger than 6 months cannot be vaccinated for the H1N1 flu, parents and caregivers are also in the priority group.

Health departments in Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties have already begun distributing the swine flu vaccine. Ventura County clinics are reporting strong patient demand, said Sheila Murphy, a spokeswoman for the county Health Care Agency.

Health officials in San Bernardino County began offering the nasal mist version of the inoculation two weeks ago, and the Ventura County Health Care Agency and the Riverside County Department of Public Health began last week.

Officials in San Bernardino and Ventura counties are focusing on offering the nasal mist version of the inoculation for children from 2 to 18 years old and for anyone from 2 to 48 who has contact with infants less than 6 months old. In Riverside County, officials are focusing on giving the vaccine first to children between the ages of 2 and 12.

Officials in Ventura and San Bernardino counties say their clinics are open to the general public. Riverside County authorities say those with health insurance should first ask their doctor for the swine flu shot.

Orange County plans to launch its own clinics but has not yet released a schedule, said Deanne Thompson, spokeswoman for the county’s Health Care Agency.

-- Rong-Gong Lin II

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009...-on-friday.html

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Sounds like another taxpayer-funded giveaway to illegals.

Who, by the way, are mostly Hispanic.

[Dakine 26]

How much is the shot?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

How much is the shot?

I'm not sure. Since they didn't mention a cost, I'm wondering if they are free?

[HannahP 119]

Interesting. I volunteer at a free urgent clinic in my area and about 50% of our patient population is Hispanic, with the majority of that population being illegal. Getting seen by us is much, much cheaper than being seen in the ER, where doctors are obligated to check you out and where the poor and uninsured tend to migrate without lack of adequate sliding-scale/free clinics. I would assume that the financial cost of inoculating high-risk patients outweighs the costs of seeing sick patients in the ER or, god forbid, having swine sick inpatients in the ICU for weeks...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It's free for illegals.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's free for illegals.

If you say it a few more times some of the usual suspects might come running to scream at how if the US government were paying for a nationwide vaccination against an ebola pandemic, they wouldn't want any part of it

[HannahP 119]

It's free for illegals.

Actually, it's free for everyone because the government is "purchasing" it so to speak.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It's free for illegals.

Actually, it's free for everyone because the government is "purchasing" it so to speak.

Yes, using the money of God-fearing law abiding Americans.

This is a travesty. I wouldn't mind so much if it were happening in South Carolina where we know most of the beneficiaries would be real Americans. But c'mon we all know who lives in LA, liberals and illegals.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Well I guess we don't need socialist medicine. They're already doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.. Whew glad thats overwith. NOw they can throw that 1500 page bill in the trash.. Wow, I hope they recycle.

[HannahP 119]

It's free for illegals.

Actually, it's free for everyone because the government is "purchasing" it so to speak.

Yes, using the money of God-fearing law abiding Americans.

This is a travesty. I wouldn't mind so much if it were happening in South Carolina where we know most of the beneficiaries would be real Americans. But c'mon we all know who lives in LA, liberals and illegals.

Okay, I MIGHT be a little dense with the sarcasm meter but you don't have to rub it iiinnn.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Well I guess we don't need socialist medicine. They're already doing it out of the goodness of their hearts.

Goodness of their hearts, using your money.

How convenient.

[Amby 490]

I just found out today the shots are free here if you're in the high risk group

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I just found out today the shots are free here if you're in the high risk group

high risk group is shorthand for illegals

[Amby 490]

24 & under

over 60

pregnant