Vancouver Island Health Authority officials are starting to screen for eligibility at H1N1 flu vaccine clinics.

The high-risk groups who have priority for the first weeks of vaccinations include:

• Those under 65 years with chronic health conditions (i.e. asthma, diabetes)

• Pregnant women (over 20 weeks)

• People who live in rural and isolated settings and communities, including all First Nations people living on reserve.

"It's on the honour system," said VIHA spokesperson Shannon Marshall. "You will be asked if you're in the eligibility criteria."

Marshall asked that other people respect the eligibility rules, and only those who qualify show up at the clinics. During the first four days of flu clinics in B.C., wait times to get an H1N1 vaccine have spanned several hours at various locations as public health officials worked to get people through the clinics as quickly as possible.

It was announced on the weekend that less than half the amount of vaccine will be delivered across the country. Canada only uses one supplier (news reports have noted that the United States uses five suppliers), and that supplier stopped producing the adjuvanted vaccine so enough of the original or non-adjuvanted vaccine would be produced for pregnant women.

Adjuvant is a booster used in the vaccine.

Marshall said the lack of vaccine should not affect the country-wide vaccination program too much. "It's a temporary interruption in supply," she said. "It means we don't have as much vaccine as anticipated."

Canada was able to start its vaccination program in early November which was two weeks early.

Port Alberni's first H1N1 flu clinic is set for 4-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at Glenwood Centre. Other clinics are set up as follows:

– Thursday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to noon at Echo Centre.

– Monday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to noon at Echo Centre.

– Thursday, Nov. 12, 4-7 p.m. at Glenwood Centre.

– Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1-5 p.m. at Glenwood Centre.

– Thursday, Nov. 19, 4-8 p.m. at Glenwood Centre.

– Sunday, Nov. 22, 1-5 p.m. at Glenwood Centre.

– Wednesday, Nov. 25, 3:30-6 p.m. at Glenwood Centre.

Public health staff are urging those who are coming to the clinics to wear short or loose sleeves to help speed up delivery of the vaccine.

In addition, VIHA is temporarily suspending seasonal flu shots for seniors in order to further streamline the process and to focus on delivering the vaccine to those most at risk.

Seniors' flu clinics will resume later in November, according to a VIHA press release.

To find out more information on clinics in and around the Alberni Valley, please go online to www.viha.ca/h1n1.

editor@albernivalleynews.com