Patients with chronic illnesses can begin applying next Wednesday for the H1N1 influenza vaccinations that start in mid-January.

The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs says it will begin taking vaccination reservations from some five-point-nine million people who were treated within the past year for diabetes, immunity reducing disorders or chronic respiratory illnesses.

Those selected for vaccinations will receive an instruction letter in the mail or can check if they are eligible on the Web site of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

Local public health centers will notify people 65 and older of their vaccination schedule in early January.

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