Reservists on P.E.I. were immunized for swine flu late last week, and the Armed Forces brought along 500 extra doses for the general public.
The military has its own stockpile of vaccine in order to ensure it is ready to assist in the event of a domestic emergency. Last Thursday 169 reservists on P.E.I. rolled up their sleeves to get the H1N1 vaccine.
"The reserve population is a large component of our domestic response," Cmdr. Peter Clifford told CBC News Friday.
"What we have done in all cases, and in this case on P.E.I., is ensure that all of our members are offered the opportunity to receive the vaccine."
The Forces mobile unit that came to vaccinate P.E.I. reservists also brought 500 doses for the general public.
Clifford said the Forces slowed down its own vaccine rollout so it could give some to provincial Health Departments, which are experiencing a shortfall.
Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief health officer, said the province was pleased to get the extra doses.
"They released their doses across the country and on a sort of per capita basis, so we received 500 additional doses that we weren't expecting," said Morrison.
They will be used this week to vaccinate people in high-risk groups, she said, such as people with chronic health conditions and young children.
Clifford said that close to 95 per cent of Forces personnel in the Atlantic region who were offered the vaccine decided to get the shot.
