State health officials yesterday called attention to a paid advertisement regarding the H1N1 flu vaccine that was published in Wednesday's Advertiser, saying the ad was misleading and could leave patients unprotected.

In the advertisement under the large heading "Free H1N1 Flu Vaccine," Dr. Rick Williams suggested that the state could stretch its supply of H1N1 vaccine by administering it under the skin, making it possible to cut the dosage by one-fifth.

But Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health, said that is not true.

Park said patients should not accept this method, because it does not deliver the dosage that is recommended to immunize people from the illness.

Doctors who receive the vaccine are bound by legal agreement to administer it in the arm muscle or through the nose, as recommended by the manufacturers and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Park said.

"If we hear there is any variance from that recommendation, we will take appropriate action," she said.

Williams, from the Women's Clinic, said he stands by his suggestions and that he had tried to reach Park to explain himself but she did not respond to his phone messages or fax.

"She's giving vague concerns and no backup," said Williams, citing medical studies.

He acknowledged that the studies were not done for the H1N1 vaccine but said they were performed on other flu vaccines, and therefore the findings would apply to H1N1.

"This is really a dangerous statement," said Janice Okubo, state Department of Health spokeswoman. "It could create health risk for people."

Okubo said Park would contact the doctor and that he would not be getting any H1N1 vaccine.