JACKSON - The Mississippi state Department of Heath has announced the availability of 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) antiviral medication for uninsured and underinsured Mississippians. These antivirals will only be available through a prescription from a medical doctor.

In order to receive the injections, the patient must bring a prescription for the medication and a signed document from their healthcare provider indicating in which high risk group the patient belongs. According to Liz Charlotte in the MSDH Office of Communications, high risk groups include pregnant women, caregivers or those who live in a house with infants under six months old and children ages six months to four years of age.

373,900 doses of the swine flu vaccine have been allocated to Mississippi with 85,390 doses allocated to the county health department clinics. Individual county dose allocations are dependent on population.

Charlotte said that the vaccines were scheduled to be shipped to the county facilities Monday, Nov. 2.

"All counties have the vaccine now," Charlotte said.

MSDH and other private providers are currently working with schools throughout the state to provide vaccinations for students. 51,400 doses of swine flu vaccine have been allocated for the schools. 422 school have been adopted by MSDH; 417 have been adopted by private healthcare provides and 72 schools have adoptions pending.

For those not in the high priority group, MSDH recommends obtaining a seasonal flu shot and using basic sanitary prevention methods like washing hands frequently, sneezing into sleeves, coughing into tissues and washing hands, avoiding contact with those who are ill and staying home if ill.

For more information on swine flu and the availability of free antiviral medications, call the toll-free hotline at 1-877-222-9FLU.