Beginning the week of Dec. 20, the H1N1 vaccine will be available to the general public in Indiana.

State health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe announced Thursday a major shift in the state's strategy to distribute that vaccine, which protects against the strain of the flu virus.

Vaccine will be shipped directly to pharmacies across the state so that healthy adults of all ages can be vaccinated. Only pharmacies that are registered with the state to provide vaccinations will participate, but the large list includes major chains such as Walgreens, CVS and Kroger, Monroe said.

In the meantime, the state is encouraging county health departments to focus on vaccinating schoolchildren and college students before schools and campuses close for the holidays.

The state will provide thousands of doses of vaccine to an additional 20 to 25 college campuses this week, and more have asked for vaccine, Monroe said.

Counties that need more vaccine for its schoolchildren can ask for it, she said.

A greater supply of vaccine and declining demand were cited as reasons for the change in strategy. Until now, the state has encouraged counties to vaccinate only people in target groups considered at higher risk for becoming sick from the virus or developing complications.

For more on this story, see Friday's print editions of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m. Friday.

aiacone@jg.net