OKLAHOMA CITY — The state of Oklahoma is ending the practice of offering free flu shots to all residents at health department sites statewide, although some will still qualify for the vaccinations at no charge.

The Oklahoma Department of Health will now charge $25 for the seasonal flu shot. The fee is projected to raise about $750,000 for the agency, which experienced budget cuts like other state agencies that averaged 7.5 percent last year.

The state spent $1.5 million last year for 195,000 seasonal flu shots, said Dorothy Cox, vaccine manager for the health department.

With the vaccine quadrupling in price over the past five years, the idea is to eliminate as many free shots as possible to help offset costs.

"We don't need to subsidize private insurance plans," said Don Blose, chief of immunization service for the health department.

People with insurance often go to the health department for their flu shots because, unlike a trip to the doctor, it's free and no appointment or co-pay is required, said Susan Mendus, education director for the immunization service.

Blose said the state wants to make sure people who can't pay aren't denied the vaccine.

There will be no charge to people on Medicare and without an HMO, those on Medicaid (SoonerCare) or children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program. Others may be eligible for fee waivers based on their income.

Cox said they haven't determined how much above the poverty level people can be to qualify for free vaccinations. She said documentation won't be required.

States offering flu shots at no charge is unusual, said Blose, who contacted colleagues at health departments in other states to see how they handled shots.

"We found no other state providing flu vaccinations for free," he said.

With Oklahoma encouraging residents to get a flu shot each year, some health officials are worried the cost may keep some people away.

"We're really hoping it's not going to have a big impact on vaccination coverage," said Vicki Monks, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma City-County Health Department. "Some people are already reluctant to get vaccinations. Anytime you have a financial deterrent, it's always a concern."

This year's flu shot will include a vaccine against swine flu, which was blamed for the deaths of 43 Oklahomans last year.