Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon public health officials are making the H1N1 vaccine available to everyone starting next week. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Previously the vaccine had been held for people most at risk from the H1N1 flu. But now that Oregon has received more than a million doses, state epidemiologist Dr. Mel Kohn say its time to offer it to everyone.

Mel Kohn: "We know that new cases of H1N1 have been dropping over the last few weeks. But we think that it's very possible that there will be another wave of illness in the spring, or later in the winter. And getting people vaccinated is the best way to prevent that and to protect them from this flu."

About 1300 people have been hospitalized in Oregon with swine flu since September. 63 people have died.

The state has a website flu.oregon.gov where people can find out when and where vaccine will be available.