Canadian P.M. unclear on H1N1 vaccine

EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's staff Wednesday was left to clarify whether he and his family intend to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus.

Asked at a news conference near Edmonton whether he and his family will get the so-called swine flu vaccine, Harper replied: "My plan, if it's generally recommended for people to get the vaccine, my plan is to get the vaccine. But as yet, of course, we haven't actually made a final decision or set a date. We're, as you know, right now, waiting (for) final approval of the vaccine, but we expect that imminently."

The prime minister's aides said later Harper meant he would get the shot if it was approved, not if it was recommended, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Canadian public health officials have been urging citizens to get the H1N1 vaccine as the best defense against the flu, which has reached pandemic levels since breaking out in Mexico last spring.