Members of Parliament are to receive their Influenza A\H1N1 vaccine at the Parliament building next week in two batches-Tuesday for Senators and Friday for elected MPs. Parliament staff will also be vaccinated, the Express was told.

MPs are among the priority groups identified by the Ministry of Health.

MPs were contacted on Monday and asked if they were desirous of receiving the vaccine and when they would be available.

Elected MPs who are required to meet with constituents frequently are exposed to a wide cross-section of people. Noting that there was some controversy over the decision to include decision-makers in the priority groups, one MP yesterday said: ’It amazes me how people could make an issue over nothing. There are 70,000 vaccines and less that 100 MPs,’ the MP stated.