Private group selling H1N1 vaccine in Sedalia

H1N1 vaccines are being offered throughout the Pettis County area by the Pettis County Community Health Center, but Wednesday, an outside organization offered the vaccines without notifying the local health center.

JoAnn Martin, administrator of the Pettis County Community Health Center, visited the Sedalia Wal-Mart on Wednesday and noticed Mollen Immunization Clinics charging for H1N1 vaccines.

“There is no reason for people to pay for the vaccine,” Martin said.

Martin has visited all of the schools in the county and has ample vaccines available for everyone.

“We did not request their assistance and, frankly, we don’t need their assistance,” Martin said.

According to Kit Wagar, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, each county health center is responsible for distributing all H1N1 vaccines in that county.

“We feel that local health departments know their area best,” Wagar said.

Although seasonal influenza vaccines can be offered by various health organizations, H1N1 vaccines are different.
Martin also is concerned about problems that could arise.

“If people have problems they will call us and if we don’t have their records, we can’t help them,” Martin said.

Mollen Immunization Clinics is based in Scottsdale, Ariz. The group clinics will provide more than 27,000 influenza clinics in 2009 throughout the U.S. The H1N1 vaccines are given to the group through Maricopa County in Arizona.

Phone requests for comments from Mollen Immunization Clinics were not immediately returned Thursday.
The clinic visited the Warsaw Wal-Mart on Thursday and according to Mollen’s Web site, the clinic will be in the Warrensburg Wal-Mart today.

Linda Viebrock, administrator of the Benton County Health Department, said she did not request the group to come to the area and has never heard of it before.

“I hate to see people spending money when their tax dollars have already paid for this,” Viebrock said.
Deborah Haller, administrator of Johnson County Community Health Services in Warrensburg, said she was unaware of the clinic visiting Warrensburg.

“We’ve got clinics scheduled all over the place,” Haller said.

Haller said she was approached by the organization earlier in the year, but did not request their services.
“Unfortunately, they charge and it’s free here,” Haller said.

The Mollen Immunization Clinics charge a $15 administration fee, but accept most insurance.

Wagar said it is not illegal to charge for the H1N1 vaccine, but it is available for free.

Martin said people can receive a free vaccine from the Pettis County Health Center by calling 827-1130 to set up an appointment.

“We just want people to be protected,” Martin said.