Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries should begin receiving the first shipment of H1N1 vaccines next month.

The CARICOM Secretariat says the vaccine will provide immunization for the most vulnerable groups.

These include children, pregnant mothers and persons suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases.

The vaccines will arrive in time for the expected spike in the number of H1N1 cases in December and January.

The CARICOM Secretariat’s Programme Manager, Dr Rudolph Cummings says the arrival of the vaccines will help the Caribbean to be more prepared to deal with the second round of the virus.

According to the Secretariat, the United States has contributed significantly to a Global Fund, which was used to develop the vaccine.

The Secretariat says the vaccine will be delivered at no cost to some member states.

But Dr Cummings says countries that did not benefit from the Global Fund would have to buy additional doses at a minimum cost of seven US dollars.