Updated: Wed Nov. 04 2009 17:44:15

ctvedmonton.ca

More confusion has been added to the mix over who can get the H1N1 flu shot starting Thursday. This comes as Alberta Health Services launched a newspaper ad campaign but according to health officials, with the incorrect information.

"There is confusion about that we are looking into making the ads read a little more clearly," said Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services.

The ad states that children between the ages of six months and five years will get the flu shot but officials now say it should read, "all children six months and those under five years of age as of Nov. 1st are eligible."

The recent ad slip-up is now adding fuel to the fire amongst the opposition.

"If the minister can't roll out of a pandemic that has been planned for years, how can we have the confidence in his ability to manage a very complex health care system?" stated Liberal Leader David Swann.

But Health Minister Ron Liepert says the mistake has been cleared up.

"I believe they have clarified it. They have been as clear as they possibly can and so you can focus on the negative if you want but I don't think there's a reason why anyone in the media should not know what the parameters are tomorrow," said Liepert.

And while some parents are well aware that their children are within the age limits for the vaccine, some believe the recent confusion may lead to even longer lineups.

"People are going to get there and they'll be told no especially when you have children and you've been waiting it's not going to make people happy," said mother-of-two Julie Jackman.

Health officials say there will be security at area clinics and people will be turned away if they do not fit the criteria. Alberta Health Services says the goal is to get lineup wait times down to one hour.

So far, there are 270,000 doses of the vaccine in the system and that is supposed to last until next week when a new shipment is expected to arrive in Alberta.

Edmonton and area will have eight H1N1 flu vaccination clinics open starting Thursday:

• Commonwealth Stadium
• Millbourne Mall
• Westmount Centre
• Bonnie Doon Mall
• Rutherford Health Centre
• Northgate Centre
• Strathcona County Health Centre
• Grandin Mall (St. Albert)