Off-reserve Natives in Prince Edward Island say they should be a priority to receive a vaccine for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.

The province has already included on-reserve Natives on the priority list. The Native Council of PEI says urban Natives deserve the same treatment.

"We have people that live in crowded situations in urban settings. We have people that are homeless. We have mothers who have young children at home," Chief Jamie Gallant told CBC News. "When it comes to health care, off-reserve aboriginal people should be treated with the same level of priority as on-reserve aboriginal people."

Natives in Canada and the U.S. are at higher risk for contracting swine flu, according to government reports. In Canada, Native people in Manitoba have already been hit hard by the virus.

Get the Story:
Off-reserve native group calls for vaccine priority (CBC 10/7)

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