Swine flu immunization underway

The H1N1 influenza vaccine is now available across most of Canada to health-care workers and people considered at a higher risk for complications from the respiratory illness.

Eligible groups include individuals under the age of 65 who have chronic medical conditions, as well as pregnant women, children under the age of five and people living in First Nations or remote and isolated communities.

Ottawa approved the vaccine last Wednesday, which has cost about $300 million.

Clinical trials worldwide suggest that up to 85 per cent of healthy adults who are vaccinated will develop immunity within 10 days.

The availability of the vaccine differs from region to region, but in most cases people can get the shot this week — some as early as Monday. New Brunswick and Quebec have already started their immunization programs.