The P.E.I. Lung Association says some people should be getting both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine. (CBC)

The P.E.I. Lung Association says people with chronic lung conditions should be getting both the seasonal flu vaccine and the one for swine flu.

Executive director Joanne Ings told CBC News Thursday some people are confused about what to do, because there are conflicting messages coming out of different provincial health departments.

The message from lung associations across the country, however, is consistent, she said.

"For those folks that have a pre-existing lung condition — that could be asthma, that could be [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease], but something that they're specifically identified as having lung disease or a lung condition — we're really encouraging those people specifically to get both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 flu shot," said Ings.

The P.E.I. Department of Health announced Wednesday how it plans to roll out the swine flu vaccine. Those with chronic conditions will be first in line to receive the vaccine when distribution starts next week.

Not at family doctor

P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, said Thursday the vaccine will be at hospitals and clinics, and will not be available at doctors' offices.

"Sometimes it's difficult to get in to your family doctor, and we're hoping this will make it easier for patients to get vaccinated," she said.

A list of clinics open next week to high-risk groups has been posted on the Department of Health website.

Nurses will be administering the swine flu vaccine at all hospitals, the Lennox Island reserve, long-term care facilities and corrections facilities. In the second and third weeks of the vaccination program, public health nurses will go to elementary schools and junior and senior high schools.

For the general population, nine clinics will be set up across the province, in places such as the Polyclinic Professional Centre in Charlottetown and the Summerside Wellness Centre.

Morrison said there is a chance other health programs will be delayed as all 45 public health nurses concentrate on distributing and administering the vaccine.

"Public health nursing will not see every single mother who's discharged from hospital with a new baby," she said, "but they will continue to see those that need to be seen, or if there are concerns."