NM should get H1N1 vaccine by mid-Oct.

SANTA FE (AP) - New Mexico health officials expect to begin receiving vaccine for H1N1, also known as the swine flu, as early as mid-October.

Federal officials said this week the vaccine will be shipped in stages to the states.

State Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil said because vaccine shipments arrive in stages, officials plan to vaccinate priority groups first.

That includes pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old, children and young adults age 6 months to 24 years, health care workers and emergency personnel and people up to 64 years old with health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from flu.

Vigil said officials have been planning for mass vaccination clinics and are well prepared for the fall flu season.