The H1N1 vaccine is available in Ventura County in the form of a live attenuated influenza vaccine, the H1N1 FluMist. The other H1N1 vaccine, the injectable form, is expected soon. At least one physician in the county has begun immunizing.

“We are concerned that his office will be deluged with requests for vaccinations. His office has a disproportionate share of chronically ill children,” said Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County public health officer.

Additional doses have arrived in the county and are being distributed among local healthcare providers.

Those who will be given priority in receiving the vaccine over the next few days, until injectable vaccine arrives, are children ages 2 to 10 and healthy household contacts of infants under 6 months old.

When sufficient supplies of swine flu vaccine become avail

able over the next few weeks, groups that are permitted to receive the vaccine will include children ages 6 months to 24 years, pregnant women, household contacts of children under age 6, healthcare workers and emergency medical personnel, and those with high-risk medical conditions up to age 65.

People not included in these groups have been shown to be at low risk for serious illness from the H1N1 virus.

The vaccine is available for

county residents only. Clinics where the vaccine will be available can be found online at www.vchca.org/ph.