Officials with the Mississippi Department of Health have announced that the H1N1 swine flu vaccine is available in the state as of today in county health clinics and some schools reports the Sun Herald. At this time supplies are limited, and certain groups will have priority, including pregnant women, children from 6 months to 4 years old and infant caregivers.

Mississippi received 223,800 doses of the injectable vaccine, and expects more in the coming weeks. To date, officials have confirmed more than 1,200 cases of this particular strain of flu and nine with other, underlying health complications have died since August.

Health officials continue to urge basic hygiene to prevent the spread of flu: Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap; cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze; if you are sick, see your doctor and stay home.

Find additional information, including sites with available vaccines, on the MDH Web site, or call the state flu hotline at 1-877-222-9FLU (1-877-222-9358) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.