Health officials believe the apparent online sale of vaccine was an attempt to smear nurses rather than make money. (CBC)

B.C.'s medical health officer says Victoria police are investigating a case of someone trying to sell a vial of swine flu vaccine on the internet.

Dr. Perry Kendall said Monday the seller claimed to be a public health nurse who would sell the vaccine to the highest bidder.

But Kendall said he believes the posting was a scam that's a smear on the nursing profession.

He said the ad was pulled off the internet Monday morning after the Vancouver Island Health Authority contacted police. Authorities did not say which internet site carried the ad.

B.C. has made pregnant women the No. 1 priority for H1N1 shots this week. Other priority groups in B.C. include people under 65 with a chronic condition, children between six months and five years, and some health-care workers,

Kendall said people who are not at high risk of suffering severe effects from the virus may be able to get a shot by the end of next week, starting with first-responders including firefighters and police.

Authorities have said everyone in B.C. who wants a shot will be vaccinated by the end of the year.