The Middlesex-London Health Unit is using the latest technology to give people real-time H1N1 information.

Since the outbreak, the health unit has been using Twitter to tell people about lineups and other important facts to keep the vaccination clinics moving as quickly as possible, said Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, associate medical officer of health.

"We've been posting tweets about our clinics and people can sign up and get real-time information," Warshawsky said.

"If people are looking (at) which clinic to choose, they can look it up and see how many people are waiting in line. It's very helpful."

Twitter allows users to post 140-character updates, called tweets.

Health unit staff are at some of the clinics and reporting the wait times or they're in contact with people at each clinic so those reading their tweets can choose which clinic has the shortest wait.

"It's a proactive way for us to keep people informed," Warshawsky said.

Most local media outlets -- including The Free Press -- are also following the tweets and getting information online and onto radio airwaves as quickly as it becomes available.

People have chosen clinics based on the information they've gotten on Twitter, the health unit has said.

The tweets also include helpful links to websites about symptoms and news releases issued by the health unit.

"Coming to a clinic? Lineup longest at the start, may be wise to come a little later," one message read.

"Starting today, the unadjuvanted vaccine will be available for pregnant women who want it," said another tweet, posted last Wednesday.

To follow the health unit on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/MLHealthUnit. The tweets can be seen online without signing up for the service, or readers can sign up for the service so real-time tweets are sent to their desktop computer or mobile phone.

As of yesterday, more than 360 people were following the live updates on Twitter.

kate.dubinski@sunmedia.ca