**UPDATE

On Nov. 4 the mass clinic scheduled in Nakusp for Nov. 10 had been cancelled due to low quantities of the H1N1 vaccine, but news coming at 4:30 p.m. from the public health nurse, Linda Nero, has the Nov. 10 clinic in Nakusp back on the schedule. The clinic will be held at the Seniors Citizens hall from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. A news release from Interior Health says because of the limited supply of vaccine, a number of mass clinics have been cancelled. Nakusp is one of four communities to still be on the list for the vaccination. IH says in its release the reason for offering these limited clinics is "based on available vaccine supply, their proximity away from larger clinics in their geographic area and because they have not had a flu clinic in their community yet."

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The first immunizations of the H1N1 vaccine are happening in the area soon.

A "mass clinic" is being held in New Denver on Nov. 5 at the Slocan Community Health Centre and another mass clinic is being held in Nakusp on Nov. 10.

Nero says these clinics are provided free to the following groups first: 1) Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy, 2) Persons less than 65 years of age with chronic conditions, 3) Children six to 59 months of age, 4) Household contacts and care providers of infants from birth to six months of age, 5) Household contacts and care providers of persons who are immuno-compromised, 6) Persons residing in remote communities, including all Aboriginal populations, 7) Health care workers involved in responding to pandemic influenza.

Nero says she has received questions from the public asking if communities such as Edgewood, Fauquier, Burton, Nakusp, Summit Lake, Hills, Rosebery, New Denver and Silverton are considered rural in regards to health care, to which she says these areas do have access to health care facilities – meaning they're not considered as remote as areas like Trout Lake.

A second round of vaccinations will take place later in November, Nero says, with Nov. 26 considered the "second round" of mass clinics in the area. She anticipates there will be more mass clinics in December but has no more information at this time.

If you plan on getting the shot and do not fit within the aforementioned categories, Nero says staff will be assessing individuals to see what category they fit in. Healthier people will more than likely have to wait for the second round.

"We are asking healthier individuals to wait until these people have had the opportunity to get theirs first," says Nero. She adds the health unit's understanding right now is there will be enough H1N1 vaccine available for all British Columbians in the near future. She also says the annual flu vaccine will be available to those who qualify at the mass clinics and for those who wish the annual vaccine to call the health unit for an appointment.

For those who will be attending the New Denver mass clinic at the Slocan Community Health Centre, the hours of the clinic are 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.