SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The H1N1 vaccine has arrived at Stanton Territorial Hospital and Yellowknifers will be able to receive their immunization shot as of Monday, the territory's chief public health officer announced on Wednesday.

Dr. Kami Kandola, chief public health officer, explains how rolling out the recently arrived H1N1 vaccine will work at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. - Charlotte Hilling/NNSL photo H1N1 vaccination schedule at the Multiplex Monday Oct. 26 - 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 27 - 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 28 - 12 p.m.. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 29 - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 30 - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 31 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"This news represents our trigger to begin our mass vaccination clinics," said Dr. Kami Kandola.

Six days have been set aside at the Multiplex next week, where vaccination teams will administer shots on Monday, Oct. 26, until Saturday Oct. 31.

"Health Canada has judged and approved the vaccine as safe and effective for use," said Kandola. "I trust this evidence and will act on it."

Kandola and her 18-month-old son will be among the first in line to receive the vaccine Monday morning, and she urged everyone to do the same.

She said anyone who has already had a lab-confirmed case of H1N1 does not need to get the shot, but receiving them will not cause any further health risks.

The vaccine takes 10 days to become effective so Kandola was quick to remind residents to continue following flu precautions such as washing hands regularly, staying home if ill and avoid touching the "T-zone" - the eyes, nose and mouth.

Kandola is confident people will want the vaccine, adding heath authorities have the manpower to accommodate everyone.

"When we've had information on the (seasonal) flu being in the news we've had a higher level of participation," she said. "I am actually expecting a good turn out.

"Because this is the largest immunization campaign that's been done across Canada and the NWT, by hiring the additional help and using the immunization action teams, it is our way to be able to deal with the increase in demand and to be able to deliver the vaccine efficiently."

Sixteen nurses and seven logisticians from around Canada and the NWT are now in Yellowknife as part of the mobile action team. They are preparing the mass immunization effort here, after which they will head off to other regions and split into smaller groups to help health nurses in the communities.

"Splitting smaller and splitting smaller is the most effective, efficient way to get teams in all areas of the NWT within the three-week period."

At this point the Department of Health and Social Services is recommending residents receive the regular seasonal flu vaccine after they have had their H1N1 shot. The seasonal flu vaccine will be available about four weeks after the H1N1 vaccine has been administered.

Kandola said the regular vaccine is still relevant because once the H1N1 virus begins to wane, the seasonal flu will begin to take over.

As of Wednesday, the NWT had 24 hospitalizations and two cases of severe respiratory illness. Seventy-five per cent of NWT communities have reported cases of H1N1.