Ontario has shipped 700,000 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to the province's public health units since October 21 in order to allow immunization clinics to begin next week.

Beginning the week of Oct. 26, H1N1 flu vaccine will be offered to all Ontarians that need and want it, starting with:

• People under 65 with chronic conditions;
• Pregnant women;
• Healthy children 6 months to under five years of age;
• People living in remote or isolated communities;
• Health care workers; and
• Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines.

All pregnant women with pre-existing health conditions and healthy pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy (more than 20 weeks) should speak to their health care provider about receiving the adjuvanted vaccine. Healthy pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancy are at less risk of complications from the flu, and should wait to receive the unadjuvanted vaccine, when it is available. Ontario has developed a fact sheet for pregnant women that will be available on the ministry website.

On October 21, Health Canada approved the use of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

A province-wide advertising campaign will be launched next week to remind people of the importance of getting the H1N1 flu vaccine. The campaign features Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Arlene King and includes print, radio and online ads.