The Mississippi State Department of Health is making antiviral medications available to uninsured and underinsured patients. In an agreement with selected pharmacies, the department is offering Tamiflu and Relenza from state stockpiles to Mississippians who can't afford them.

To receive the medicines, patients need a prescription and a signed copy of the Therapeutic Indications for Free Antiviral Medications form, available from the Department of Health Web site. A list of participating pharmacies is also posted on the linked page. Patients will need to sign a form at the pharmacy attesting to their financial need.

To date, Mississippi has reported nearly 1,240 confirmed cases of the swine flu, with 10 deaths since early August.

Vaccines for the swine and regular seasonal flu are available through clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and the State Health Department, which is giving free, injectable vaccines to pregnant women, children between 6 months and 5 years old and infant caregivers at county offices.

For additional information about the free flu medicine program, call 601-576-7680. More information about the H1N1 swine flu is also available at this page.