Health officials say first responders could start getting the swine flu vaccine as early as Monday.Health officials say first responders could start getting the swine flu vaccine as early as Monday. (CBC)

Alberta Health Services says first responders could be getting the H1N1 vaccine as early as Monday.

Dr. Martin Lavoie, the senior provincial medical health officer, said firefighters, police and provincial peace officers are next in line.

"Ideally, as of Monday we should be able … to start looking at this or implementing this," he said.

"Of course there are some operational considerations, so it may be a few days later in some areas. It may be Monday, it may be early in the week if it's not exactly Monday."

Lavoie said some first responders will be vaccinated in their workplace, and others in public clinics.

On Saturday, the immunization program expanded to include the last of the people in categories considered to be at the highest risk.

Those are individuals aged 18 to 44 who have chronic health problems, as well as household contacts and caregivers of those who can't be immunized.

Alberta Health Services says when more vaccine becomes available from the manufacturer, the targeted immunization program will be expanded to include more groups.