Pharmacists and paramedics may be called in to help doctors and nurses administer the H1N1 flu vaccine this fall.

Health officials are encouraging Albertans to get a vaccination once it's available, which is expected to be in mid-November.

John Tuckwell, spokesperson for Alberta Health and Wellness said the decision to call on pharmacists and paramedics is still under consideration.

Two years ago, pharmacists in Alberta were given the option to get take training courses and apply to be certified to administer injections.

"In 2007, our legislative changes made it possible for pharmacists to administer vaccines," said Tuckwell. There's a possibility pharmacists are already trained to provide injections would be included in the plan, he added.

The province is also considering altering the legislation to allow paramedics to give vaccinations.

Karen Mills, spokeswoman for Alberta College of Pharmacists said of the 4,000 pharmacists in the province, about 316 are authorized to give vaccinations.

Mills said she expects that number to increase as more pharmacists are choosing to take the appropriate training courses and get certified. 

Alberta doctors may get paid hundreds of dollars an hour to help treat patients in the event of a serious H1N1 flu pandemic.

The pay-rate proposal is currently being worked on by the province and the Alberta Medical Association (AMA).

The rate would apply to doctors who volunteered to work within the province's H1N1 response plan if a state of public health emergency was declared.

Doctors would be paid $518 per hour during night shifts, $403 an hour during evenings and weekends, and $259 an hour during weekday shifts.

AMA's president Dr. Noel Grisdale said the proposed rates would help ensure that enough health care employees are working during the toughest of times.

Just last week, Dr. Andr� Corriveau, Alberta's chief medical officer, stressed the importance of Albertans getting vaccinated in order to reduce the transmission of the H1N1 virus.

Corriveau predicted that if 75 to 80 per cent of Albertans receive the vaccine, it will significantly reduce the transmission of H1N1.