Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart said the state’s health insurers have “put the public first” by voluntarily agreeing to offer the H1N1 vaccination to their covered policyholders.

Karen Weldin Stewart

Stewart said her office worked alongside Aetna, Amerihealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware and Coventry to estimate the potential for an H1N1 epidemic in the state, requiring what she called “timely and decisive action” to possible challenges ahead.

“Even though authorization by the Food and Drug Administration for vaccinations is necessary before coverage is authorized, Delaware’s health insurers have put the public first by making a necessary exception for the administration of swine flu (H1N1) vaccines,” Stewart said in a statement. “Our insurers, by going well beyond what is required by law, have earned our gratitude for this notable decision.”

The commissioner added that the companies’ steps could be instrumental in reducing infection and even saving lives.

“Our insurance companies have demonstrated that when the public and private sectors partner up and work together, the public is the winner,” she said.

By mid-October, between 45 million and 52 million doses of the vaccine could be available for distribution, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.