WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp. has made H1N1 "swine flu" vaccines available at CVS/pharmacies and MinuteClinics in 21 states and is again offering seasonal flu shots through its in-store health clinics.

The company said Wednesday that H1N1 immunizations are now being offered at select CVS/pharmacy locations in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas and the District of Columbia.

The vaccinations also are being provided at MinuteClinic health care centers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

While in some locations priority restrictions for receiving H1N1 vaccines continue, many states have lifted restrictions, allowing all patients to be eligible to receive the shot while supplies last, the drug store chain said.

In addition, CVS Caremark noted that seasonal flu vaccine has been restocked and is available at MinuteClinics nationwide on a walk-in basis, while supplies last. Earlier in the fall, in the wake of strong demand for shots, the drug chain announced that it had exhausted its seasonal flu immunization supply and was working to obtain more vaccines.

"Since early fall and the beginning of flu season, we have been urging all Americans to protect themselves and the people they care for by getting a flu vaccine," CVS Caremark chief medical officer Troy Brennan said in a statement. "It’s not too late to get vaccinated and receive protection against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza. As the H1N1 vaccine becomes available in greater numbers, priority groups and others will be able to obtain it more easily."

The company said CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are actively engaged in partnership with additional states and expect that availability of H1N1 vaccine will expand to other areas as more supply becomes available.

CVS Caremark added that CVS pharmacists and MinuteClinic practitioners are available to answer patients’ questions about seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu virus, treatment and prevention, flu warning signs, the availability of antiviral medication and over-the-counter products to relieve symptoms.

*Editor’s Note: Article updated on December 21 and on December 18 with new information on CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations offering H1N1 vaccines.