SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Health care providers worry flu vaccination rates will drop when the state Health Department stops offering free shots to about half of South Dakota children later this year.

The state has used federal dollars to provide flu shots to anyone under 18 regardless of family income or insurance status.

The Argus Leader reports due to changes in federal health care law, free flu vaccines will be provided only to uninsured children or children on Medicaid beginning with the 2016-17 flu season.

That could impact schools. For example, the Sioux Falls School District will no longer hold a flu shot clinic because it can't process insurance.

Rural communities also might be impacted because it's unclear if insurance providers will accept claims for flu shots administered outside of a medical center.

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