This is an Airlines/Airport Examiner exclusive dispatch. We reported earlier that seasonal and H1N1 "Swine Flu" vaccinations began on January 15, 2010 to ticketed travelers past the TSA security checkpoints at San Diego International Airport. At least 21 other airports across the U.S. began offering fee based flu shots over three months earlier, in October 2009.
Flu shots and six other vaccinations are being distributed on a contract service basis by Pacifica Medical, a licensed health care provider, by agreement with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
A professional full time staff of 22 employees, including 16 registered nurses, and 2 licensed vocational nurses are available at four vaccination stations to give the shots, two each in Terminal 1 and 2, between 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. at least through the end of February.
CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) One of many registered nurses from Pacifica Medical available at San Diego International Airport to give flu and other vaccinations, January 20, 2010 (Photo Credit - Joel Siegfried) ; (BELOW RIGHT TOP) A young girl wears a protective mask as she waits in line to get a vaccine against swine flu in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. Thousands turned up to get a flu vaccine following a sharp rise in fatalities over the past days according to health officials. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda); (BELOW LEFT TOP) Jeffrey Sternberg, CEO of Pacifica Medical at San Diego International Airport on January 20, 2010 (Photo Credit - Joel SIegfried); (BELOW RIGHT LOWER) Pacifica Medical vaccination fee schedule (Image Credit - Pacifica Medical); (BELOW LEFT LOWER) Noemi Alonso, RN (Left) and Sandee San Mateo, RN (Right) from Pacifica Medical available at San Diego International Airport to give flu and other vaccinations, January 20, 2010 (Photo Credit - Joel Siegfried)
Recent articles: Be sure to read expanded coverage on recent news events below.
Are flu shots safe?
ET409 black box recovered
Why storms grounded Southwest
Top 10 romantic destinations
NTSB blames pilots for NY crash
Lebanon and Cameroon crash similar
Northwest Airlines disappears
Black box eludes Beirut searchers
Top 10 dirtiest hotels in America
Travolta airlifts supplies to Haiti
Ethiopian Airlines black boxes found
Fast turn by Ethiopian 737 pilot
Boeing and NTSB probe 737 crash
Exit door incident on UA flight
Storms ground Southwest flights
TSA prank and prayers aloft
AA bag embargo hurts Haitian relief
Baggage fees by airlines compared
Flu shots at San Diego Airport
Passengers from hell are chosen
Airport scanners and child porn
Noise matters at San Diego Airport
From Gilligan to bomb threats
Slovak airline bomb foul up
Newark intruder caught on video
Free parking near San Diego Airport
EWR incident + Obama address
TSA delays enforcing REAL ID Act
More full body scanners on the way 
A fifth location was recently added before gate security in Terminal 1. Next year, an additional kiosk is planned before security in Terminal 2.
According to Jeffrey Sternberg, CEO of Pacifica Medical, in a telephone interview on February 8, vaccinations are averaging over 500 dosages a day. Seasonal flu vaccines had to be twice reordered, while there is an abundance of H1N1 supplies. Other travel related vaccines are also offered.
Fees vary by type of vaccine. There are discounts for San Diego residents and for airport employees. The H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine costs travelers $15, $13.50 for San Diego residents, and $7 for airport workers with ID badges. Other vaccines cost more.
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been offering H1N1 and seasonal flu shots free of charge. However, fee based airport flu shots may offset the value of time and stress to drive to a County health facility, park, and wait one's turn.
According to Sternberg, "There are three factors that affect vaccine acceptance, convenience, cost, and
"
We also contacted the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority on the matter of this flu season's late start. Replies are by Airport Authority spokesperson Katie Jones:
Q. What accounts for the late start in the Airport's flu vaccination program?
"The Airport Authority selected Pacifica Medical as its vaccine kiosk concessionaire after soliciting the opportunity via a Request for Proposal process in September 2009. The Authority worked closely with Pacifica Medical following their notice of award to secure the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines but was unable to immediately offer vaccines to our passengers and airport employees because the County of San Diego Health Department, which provides the vaccines, did not have any for distribution."
Q. Do you have any other comments?
"Yes, since the opening on January 15, Pacifica Medical has disbursed roughly 500 vaccines per day. The Airport Authority is excited to provide the vaccination service—not only for H1N1 vaccines, but also CDC-recommended traveler vaccines, including typhoid, pneumonia, and hepatitis A and B, which are not seasonal and are beneficial year-round."
There is a separate report containing responses by the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). Be sure to read our inquiry into the safety of flu vaccinations and other breaking news reports.
We would like to hear your thoughts. Please leave comments below or by email and subscribe to get future updates.
Comments
That's a lot of vaccines!
The San Diego vaccination flu shot program looks like it is getting going after the late start.
I didn't even know I could get vaccines at the airport. Sounds like a great service for those who are interested.
Sounds wonderful How much does it cost to get vaccinated per shot?
Who pays fo it? Do illegal undocumented alien squatters here get the shots free? Does the State of California pay for this as a service? The County, or the Federal Government? What's the story?
How much taxpayer money have we spend so far? Is the Airport the best place to reach the people most in need, is that a consideration? Who, person, or agency came up with the Airport idea? How solvent is the budget that supports it, or is it a self-supporting money earning fee-based effort or business? What's the story?
The San Diego flu shots were delayed but at least the program eventually got going. A good service for busy travelers.
Concerning comments by Vince Calhoun below on February 11, 2010 at 12:07 P.M., you raise some good questions, which we will try to answer.
The program at San Diego International Airport, vaccinating 500 people on average each day, is fee based, for profit. There are similar programs across the country. In San Diego, an independent agency, the Airport Authority, which manages airport operations, approved the program. It generates fees that are paid to the Airport Authority. It is a self-supporting program, run by a profitable business.
The cost of flu shots given at San Diego International Airport are shown in the graphic accompanying the article. Flu shots given at County facilities are free of cost, underwritten by local, state, and federal tax dollars. Undocumented residents get flu shots without cost, the same as everyone else. This is a public health issue. Viruses are an equal opportunity disease, and infect without regard to legal status, nationality, etc.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!