U.S. to Cover $8.5B Tab for Swine Flu Shots

The U.S. government will pay billions of dollars to ensure millions of Americans are protected against the H1N1 swine flu this fall.

Vaccinations against swine flu are expected to begin in mid-October, and the government will cover the $8.5 billion tab, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Thursday.  

Swine flu made headlines around world last spring, sickening thousands in the United States and was the likely cause in at least 170 U.S. deaths. 

The traditional flu shot millions of Americans receive each fall will not protect against swine flu. Tests doses of the swine flu vaccination will be studied in the next few weeks.

Source:  MSNBC.com,  U.S. Pledges $8.5B for Fall Swine Flu Shots