The state Department of Health is urging health care providers to register as H1N1 influenza vaccine providers so the shots will be available to as many people as possible.

The DOH has extended until Friday the deadline to register to be pandemic vaccination providers. The vaccinations are expected to be available this fall.

Physicians and community organizations, such as retail pharmacies, health centers, medical groups and colleges and universities, are asked to pre-register with the state. Unlike the seasonal influenza vaccine, which is ordered from distributors directly by physicians and providers, the H1N1 vaccine will be distributed by the state Department of Health once it is received from the federal government.

"We have to identify where that vaccine will be going and the only way we can do that is if we have preregistered vaccinators," said DOH spokeswoman Janice Okubo.

At last count, she said, about 160 health care providers have signed up, but many more are needed, particularly on the Neighbor Islands. The vaccine will be provided at no cost to residents, although some physicians may charge an administrative fee.

Hospitals and other health care facilities will be offering vaccinations to their staff and patients. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade who attend participating schools will have the option of receiving the vaccination through the school.

Sarah Park, the state epidemiologist, said officials want to vaccinate as many people as possible to prevent the spread of the virus.

"We are counting on Hawai'i's health care community to come together to help accomplish this huge undertaking," Park said.

Health officials said that eventually everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be. If the supplies are limited, Okubo said, the DOH will recommend that high-risk groups get the shots first.

These groups include pregnant women, caregivers for children under 6 months, health care personnel, people 6 months to 24 years of age, and people ages 25 to 64 who have health conditions associated with a higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

The first death in Hawai'i that was associated with the H1N1 virus occurred in June.

Since then, nine other deaths have been linked to the virus.