Nurse Laura Gill administers a dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine in Ottawa in this November, 2009 photo.Pawel Dwulit/The Canadian Press
Public health officials in Toronto are rolling out the flu vaccine earlier than usual this year after cases of the virus began popping up across the city.
Over the next two and a half months, the free inoculation will be doled out at 64 temporary clinics in total at 42 locations, ranging from community centres to libraries to grocery stores.
The largest number of clinics will be concentrated in the next month, with a handful in December and early January. Most are held on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends.
The first clinics open Thursday.
This year, the H1N1 vaccine will be mixed with the inoculation against two strains of the conventional flu.
Officials are also anticipating far smaller crowds than last year, when more than 200,000 lined up for the shot in the midst of the H1N1 pandemic.
"We are planning for a return to routine," said Vinita Dubey, associate medical officer of health with Toronto Public Health.
The vaccine is also available from doctors' offices and at some workplaces.
While most people who get the virus won't become seriously sick, the vaccine helps stop the spread of the flu. The virus can have nasty effects on those in high risk groups, including young children, senior citizens and those with chronic medical conditions.
A complete list of clinics is posted on Toronto Public Health's website.
Adrian Morrow