While attention and concern over H1N1 and seasonal flu may have subsided in the past few weeks, local health department officials caution that residents need to be prepared for a second wave. According to local health department officials, the flu season traditionally peaks in January and February. But March also is a concern, they cautioned. "The people who haven't had the H1N1 vaccination should still get it." said Ruth Walters, Warren County Health Department administrator. The Warren County Health Department administered more than 2,200 H1N1 flu doses in the final three months of 2009, more than half of which were given to children between the ages of 5 to 18. Locally, the health department continues to have flu doses available. Walters said her office has around 100 doses of the seasonal flu available and more than 1,000 of the H1N1 vaccine. Clinics are being held the remainder of this month on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. The clinics will move to Tuesdays in February and also will be held from 1-3 p.m. The doses are available for county residents 18 years and older. There is no charge for the H1N1 vaccine, but there is a $20 fee for the seasonal vaccine. Since children age 9 and under require a second dose, she said the health department is currently in the process of administering those. A second visit to area schools will be completed by Jan. 31, according to Walters. Walters, who noted the feedback from department visitors has been positive, hopes more people take advantage of the available doses. "I thought we did it efficiently," she said. "The wait was minimal. We got them through and it went really smooth as more clinics were held. I thought we did it as fast as we could." Walters said 30 to 40 percent of the students received the H1N1 vaccine. She thanked the school nurses for their assistance in helping getting the parental consent forms returned. "It was well received," Walters said. "It went really well." December was the busiest month for the health department. A total of 1,054 doses were administered, with 795 in November. More than 300 individuals 65 and older have received the vaccine. Health department officials said young people and people over 65 have been susceptible to the H1N1 virus. Through Jan. 9, Missouri health care providers had documented more than 28,000 flu cases this season compared with 352 cases last year in the same time period. Federal officials estimate as many as 47 million people nationwide have been affected. About 200,000 people have been hospitalized and nearly 10,000 deaths have been attributed to the H1N1 flu. For more information on the health department, call 636-456-7474 or visit www.warrencountyhealth.com.