After enough guesswork on the side effects of the Panenza vaccine, which counters the effect of the deadly H1N1 virus, Karnataka Government has now received its 1,24,200 doses. The vaccine is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

The State Surveillance Unit Deputy Director Vasudeva Murthy said that vaccines were received on the March 16, and the state now needs to compile the procedure of using the vaccine.

"The vaccine is under cold chain reaction now and we need an action plan to start the vaccination process as soon as possible", he said.

Other states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala have received a pre-decided share of the vaccine doses.

Murthy explained that the plan of action will most probably expect the health officials to get vaccinated ahead of all.

He further said that the officials will not compel the people to get vaccinated against the virus, keeping it optional for them.

The health department has been looking forward to end the process by the end of November this year, in view of the shelf life of the vaccines. The process is likely to commence the next week.