Not all single payer systems provide free flu shots--- but its a lot easier for them.
In Ontario, seasonal flu shots are free to everyone. Ontario was one of the first jurisdictions to do so.
The infrastructure developed for seasonal flu shots can be adapted for H1N1 shots.
But let's talk about seasonal flu shots.
Can I get a free shot from my doctor? Sure. Can my company have a private nurse come around and give shots? Yes, but the company will have to pay for the nurse. Can I go to a public clinic and get a flu shot for free? Yes. Can I go to a shopping center on a certain day and get a free flu shot? Can my brother,the doctor, get supplies and inject a bunch of us at a family gathering? Yes.
I should mention that at the Shopping Center the staff asked all the right questions before I got the shot.
I've gotten a flu shot every way above except at a regular public clinic. Except with my brother, for billing purposes, they ran my health card through a scanner.
If you don't have a health card because you're an illegal immigrant here's what the government says: "The flu vaccine is available from your family doctor and walk-in medical clinics. The flu shot is free for anyone six months of age or older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario."
The Ontario government wants everyone to get the seasonal flu shot.
A side-effect of universal free flu shots has been a drop in the use of antibiotics as fewer people show up with the flu asking for useless antibiotics--which should slow the development of antibiotic resistance.
As for H1N1, the vaccine will be free to everyone. Shots will be given out with priority to health care workers, the elderly, those in contact with elderly first.
Unfortunately, the idiocy of the largely American anti-Vaccine movement is everywhere in Canada. There are many health care workers who won't get the shot. Because of unions and constitutional issues, health workers can't be forced to get the flu shot. What I'd like to see is that as a condition of starting employment, you have to have your vaccines up to date. But maybe this year the health workers will do better.
If you're anti-vaccine and read this, here's something to think about. Flu vaccines are less effective with the elderly. Much of their safety depends on the non-elderly people around them having gotten the shot and therefore not passing the flu onto to the elderly. If you're not getting a shot, stay away from the vulnerable.