Zoya, to your question about free shots for the uninsured: we have a stock of vaccine we get from the state for free , through VFC ( vaccine for children) fund. Some private offices do not stock them, but those who take Medicaid always have them. We only charge vaccine administration fee ( about $5) , and most people don't even pay that. So, we have absolutely no financial gain from vaccine administration. My office spends about $350K per year to buy vaccine, plus free VFC that we get from the state. So, vaccination is not a money making for us at all, it's barely breaking even....considering all the nursing costs, stocking costs, syringes, time to enter every vaccine into a state computerized system.....Vaccination is just one of the standards of medical practice.
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Happy New Year to all! Virtual hugs!