The vaccine is in full production by its maker, GlaxoSmithKline, and clinical trials are well underway, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq told an Ottawa news conference.

"As the vaccine rolls off the production line, it is being shipped to locations across the country," Aglukkaq said. "Of course it will be released once it has completed the approval process, and that process is well underway."

Aglukkaq and Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer, would not confirm reports that the government will approve the vaccine within the next few days.

If so, that would mean some Canadians could potentially be vaccinated by the end of the week.

"Given we're within a very short period to the time that we've always talked about being ready before the beginning of November, I think it's important that we get the assurance from the regulator about the confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine," Butler-Jones said.

Health officials have ordered 50.4 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine, which contains an adjuvant additive, a compound that will make it more effective. Another 1.8 million doses of the vaccine without the adjuvant are also on the way.

This means all Canadians can have access to the vaccine, unlike in the United States, which has only about 40 million doses for a population of 300 million. Continued....