Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq received her H1N1 vaccine yesterday at a clinic in Ottawa and urged Canadians to follow her example because the virus is so unpredictable.

"For those individuals in Canada who have not yet received their H1N1 vaccine I would encourage you to go out and get the vaccine," Aglukkaq said afterward.

She said wary Canadians should not be concerned about the vaccine's safety.

"The scientific community has assured us that it is safe for Canadians," she said. "It's one thing I can do to protect myself and my family."

Aglukkaq added that she has given the vaccine to her young son.

Political leaders such as Aglukkaq have had to wait their turn to get their shots and in most jurisdictions, the H1N1 clinics only opened up beyond the initial priority groups in the past week or two.

Public health officials are pushing the message that vaccination is the best defence against H1N1 and that it's not too late to be protected against it.

The H1N1 virus is still causing severe illness and death. The Public Health Agency of Canada said Thursday 30 new deaths were reported by the provinces in a span of two days.

Sixteen deaths were in Ontario, six in Alberta, five in Quebec, two in British Columbia and one in Saskatchewan.

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Island Flu-Shot Clinics

H1N1 shots are now available to anyone.

TODAY

Campbell River: Timberline Secondary School (use lower parking lot), 1681 South Dogwood St., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Comox: Comox Recreation Centre, 1856 Noel Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Nanaimo: Mt. Benson Elementary School (near Divers Lake and Steve Marshall Ford), 4355 Jingle Pot Rd., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Parksville: Wembley Mall (go to Line 1 for ticket with a return time), 827 W. Island Hwy., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

TOMORROW

Parksville: Wembley Mall (Go to Line 1 for ticket with a return time), 826 W. Island Hwy., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.