Swine flu vaccine was offered officially to the public Monday for the first time since the H1N1 vaccination campaign began in October.

State health officials said they are hopeful more Louisianans will get vaccinated.

Until now, the vaccine had been reserved for people in high-risk groups: pregnant women, people who care for babies 6 months old and younger, health-care workers, children and young adults 5 to 24 years old and people 25 to 64 years old with underlying health conditions.

Now that anyone is eligible, the state Department of Health and Hospitals expects an initial surge of people will go to their doctors or local pharmacies to get vaccinated, said Dr. James Guidry, DHH medical director and the state health officer.