Thanks to a faltering economy and immunization coverage being dropped from some health insurance plans the Northern Kentucky Health Department says the number of people seeking free immunizations for their children is on the rise.
"If you can prove that your immunizations are not covered by your insurance the Vaccine for Children Program is for you," explained Jennifer Hunter the Director of Clinical Services at the Health Department.
The vaccine for the Children Program is a federally funded program that provides shot for children up to the age of eighteen.
Out-of-pocket expenses for even one shot can cost as much as $100.
From July to September in 2007 the Health Department immunized 2,822 children. That number, in 2009, increased 25 percent to 3,520.
"Twenty years ago we didn't see the numbers we're seeing now. It's a good thing and a bad thing. It's a bad thing that people don't have health insurance. It's a good thing that public health is in the forefront and we can say, 'come utilize our services," said Hunter.
