HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii was one of 25 states and metropolitan areas in the country to order the new swine flu vaccine on Thursday, the first day orders could be placed.

About 60 states, cities and territories are eligible to place orders with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The state Department of Health said that based on Hawaii's population, 14,400 doses of the vaccine were ordered. They are expected to arrive next week, with additional shipments arriving in the coming weeks.

''These initial shipments of H1N1 vaccine will be used to protect emergency medical service personnel, first responders and health care workers,'' state Health Director Chiyome Fukino said. ''The state will follow CDC guidance and give first priority to high-risk groups that may be more vulnerable to serious complications from the H1N1 flu.''

The department said high-risk groups include pregnant women, caregivers for children younger than 6 months and all people from 6 months to 24 years.

Once the vaccine becomes widely available, everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated, the department said.

The CDC said the first vaccine doses will be the nasal spray called FluMist, which is recommended for children 2 and older and for adults up to 49 years old. However, it isn't recommended for women who are pregnant or people with underlying medical conditions such as asthma.

Injectable vaccine doses are to be available in weekly shipments to the state beginning in mid-October, the health department said.