The Sonoma location is not on the initial list of three county Rite Aid pharmacies offering the H1N1 (“swine flu’”) vaccine for $15.
The national chain announced Wednesday it would offer H1N1 flu shots by its certified immunizing pharmacists at 1,257 Rite Aid stores in 30 states.
Only two Santa Rosa locations are on the list. At the 955 Stony Point Road store, vaccinations are available by appointment only. At the Rite Aid at 1551 Farmers Lane, shots will become available Monday on a first-come, first-served basis.
As for the Sonoma location, the pharmacy has no knowledge of when the vaccine might become available. Staff at Safeway, CVS and Pharmaca likewise said no corporate plans to offer H1N1 shots had been announced.
Despite the uncertainty it is likely that other retail pharmacies will soon be administering the vaccine now that it is becoming more readily available. Access to the vaccine, limited to high-risk groups, had been scarce because of a production shortage. That restriction was lifted last week by the county health department.
“There is now adequate supply of vaccine for state and local health departments,” reported Dr. Mark Netherda, deputy health officer. The policy shift means the vaccine is now available to anyone older than 6 months of age.
Rite Aid will charge $15 for the shot. Unlike its $30 seasonal flu shot, the H1N1 vaccine is provided to the company by the federal government at no cost.
For a list of Rite Aid locations offering the H1N1 flu shots, which includes Healdsburg, visit www.riteaid.com/H1N1
