Individual health insurance could provide assistance for swine flu vaccines

Some epidemiologists estimate that more than 1 million Americans have already been diagnosed with the H1N1 swine flu virus, and millions more are expected to come down with the illness this flu season. Consumers who buy individual health insurance may be able to have their vaccinations covered.

Anthem Blue Cross is one insurer which has said that the swine flu vaccinations will be covered for members on individual health insurance plans with vaccine coverage, and industry group America's Health Insurance Plans says that member plans are expected to offer similar protections, according to a recent report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Clinical trials are in progress for the innoculations, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that roughly 160 million doses may be available after the Food and Drug Administration approves the treatment, the news provider reported.

Nationwide, cities are attempting to establish free centers where residents may be able to receive vaccinations, including 100 centers in New York City, as well as every elementary school, reports Bloomberg. Similar efforts are planned for Chicago and Los Angeles in both schools and community clinics.

However, in rural areas and other locations, those on individual health insurance plans may be able to get access to the innoculation and potentially pay less, according to the wire service. The federal government is providing the shots and inhalation systems for free, but the CDC is leaving the issue of payments for health care workers and other distribution costs to the states.

The organization is also reporting that in the month of August, the number of flu-related doctors visits has been elevated compared to last year, and that number is steadily increasing in advance of the normal flu season.

Another issue to remember is that the vaccine for other strains of flu does not protect against the possibility of developing a viral infection from the H1N1 strain, and those with individual health insurance may be able to get shots for the seasonal variety before production of swine flu shots ramps up.

"We're going to have to provide the seasonal as soon in the season as we can, so we can get the process done," Dr Jason Terk told the Houston Chronicle. "The vaccine manufacturers are going to stop providing the seasonal influenza vaccine in the middle of October and shift all of their production to H1N1 - and that will make any opportunity to order any more seasonal vaccine null."

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