CANBERRA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Australian Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon on Friday revealed the first two million doses of A/H1N1 flu vaccine had been delivered to the states and territories in preparation for the drug's rollout.

    Roxon said Australia's A/H1N1 flu vaccination program would start as soon as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the drug for use.

    "As soon as the vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective and approved by the TGA, we will be making all of our collective efforts focused on providing that vaccine as early as possible to the vulnerable in the community," she told reporters in Canberra.

    Those with chronic diseases, pregnant women and health workers will be given priority access to the drug.

    Roxon said the TGA's approval process was already underway and anticipated the vaccination program would still be ready to start later this month.

    She indicated vaccine manufacturer CSL would progressively provide the government with 21 million doses of the drug over the coming months to January, 2010.

    Currently 375 people around the country are in hospital with the virus and so far 161 people who have tested positive to A/H1N1flu have died.

Special Report:  World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu