By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has begun to receive H1N1 flu vaccinations, USFK officials here said Thursday.

The first shipment of the 54,000 vaccine doses arrived this week, and the remainder should arrive by next week, they said.

Geoff Morrell, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said in Washington, ``I can also tell you that our forces on the Korean Peninsula have received now a hundred percent of their requirement this week.''

``We are still operating with a limited quantity, we have to prioritize those who will get it,'' Morrell said. ``And according to our prioritization list, our military forces and those who support them are at the top of that list."

An average of 8,857 South Koreans caught the new flu per day last week, up from 4,420 the week before, with 42 South Koreans having died from it since August, according to reports.

Airmen at the Osan and Kunsan air bases began receiving their immunizations on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, and nearly all airmen were expected to receive vaccinations by the end of the week, according to the Stars and Stripes, an independent news source for the U.S. military community.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr