State and Federal health officials are warning of a nationwide scam. An e-mail is circulating that instructs you to register for a "State Vaccination H1N1 Program." The e-mail links you to what appears to be the website for the Centers For Disease Control, with a downloadable page where you must fill in your personal information. The CDC and state health departments are advising people not to open the e-mail because it may contain a "malicious code."

Oswego County Health Commissioner, Dr. Dennis Norfleet calls it a "phishing scheme...for purposes of identity theft." Norfleet says no government agency would solicit you for a flu shot registration. He says people who qualify for a free H1N1 flu shot should call the Oswego County Health Department at 349-3547.

The CDC has placed a warning about the bogus e-mail on its "hoaxes and rumors" website. http://www.cdc.gov/hoaxes_rumors.html The CDC advises that you do not respond to unsolicited messages, use caution with untrusted websites, and be cautious with your personal information online.

In a related development, Oswego County has received a new shipment of swine flu vaccine. It has resumed giving free shots to pregnant women who were removed from the priority list two weeks ago because of a shortage of vaccine. The county has also begun school based clinics aimed at students in Fulton and Oswego with other districts to follow.