SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The H1N1 vaccine has been approved by Health Canada for use in the NWT and will be rolled out over three weeks beginning Monday, Oct. 26. The vaccine is available to anyone aged six months and older.

The territory's smallest communities will be a top priority according to Dr. Kami Kandola, chief public health officer, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday.

Immunization action teams, made up of 16 nurses and seven logisticians from around Canada and the NWT, began arriving in Yellowknife last week.

After initiating Yellowknife's mass immunization the teams will split off to help health nurses in other regions and smaller communities in the territory.

"Splitting smaller and smaller is the most effective, efficient way to get teams in all areas of the NWT within the three week period," said Kandola, chief public health officer, speaking at Wednesday's press conference.

The vaccine was initially delivered to Inuvik and Yellowknife where it was re-packaged and sent out to the regions.

Kandola said the delivery of the vaccine will be contingent on the weather, but the schedule was flexible enough to allow for hurdles.

"The vaccination schedule is contingent on the weather, and that I have no control over," she said.

She added the communities only accessible by air will have the vaccination delivered when the immunization teams arrive, and not before, to ensure the vaccine is kept within the narrow temperature range it requires.

Kandola is confident there is enough manpower to cope with the high demand she expects for the vaccine.

"I am actually expecting a good turn out," she said.

"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."

She is encouraging employers to let employees get their shots during work hours to reduce congestion in the evening.

Kandola urged everyone to, "take responsibility," and get their shots, adding the vaccine takes 10 days to become effective so flu precautions should be maintained.

She said anyone who has had a lab confirmed case of H1N1 does not need to be immunized, but no extra health risks will occur should they receive the vaccine.

Kandola recommends getting the regular season flu vaccine when it becomes available, about four weeks after the H1N1 vaccination campaign is over, saying the seasonal flu will fill the gaps left behind by H1N1.

To date there have been 24 hospitalizations, two cases of severe respiratory illness and 75 per cent of the territory's communities have reported flu activity.

The vaccine clinic schedule is available on the Health and Social Services website, and will be posted in public places throughout the NWT.