Premier Greg Selinger said the cost of fighting H1N1 in the province will likely exceed $100 million. (CBC)

The cost of immunizing Manitobans against the H1N1 influenza virus is skyrocketing.

Premier Greg Selinger told CBC News on Thursday the province has already spent more than the initial projection of $50 million.

"I'm anticipating it's going to take over $100 million; I think at least $105 million," he said. "It's simply the reality of a completely new experience called a pandemic related to H1N1, and the necessity to provide services to what appears to be a changing pattern of need."

Much of the cost goes into administering the vaccination clinics — wages for staff and health-care workers, and renting spaces, Selinger said.

"And all of those costs are being borne by the provinces right now," he said. "We've got a tremendous number of people in the health professions that are devoting all of their time to making this program effective in Manitoba."

The federal government has not offered to assist the provinces, Selinger added.

More vaccine shipped to province

Winnipeg's 12 swine flu vaccination clinics reopened Thursday morning after being closed since last Friday evening due to a shortage of the product.

The province received 36,500 doses of vaccine with adjuvant — chemicals that boost a vaccine's effectiveness — this week and distributed them to regional health authorities. Provincial officials have also been advised that Manitoba will receive another 43,500 doses of adjuvanted vaccine next week.

In addition, Manitoba has also received 9,200 doses of an Australian-made adjuvant-free vaccine for pregnant women, health officials said Thursday.

Another 39,900 doses of a Canadian-made vaccine without an adjuvant have also arrived in the province. That vaccine has not yet been licensed but is expected to be soon, health officials said.

In preparation for that, the vaccine was shipped Thursday to the regional health authorities, so they have it on hand once the approval is made.

Across the province, close to 200,000 shots have been given since clinics opened on Oct. 26.

As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, a total of 106,302 people have received shots in Winnipeg.