The Virginia Department of Health says a female child in the Central Shenandoah Health District has died of an H1N1 flu-related illness.

The child's death was reported October 27, bringing the total number of H1N1-related deaths in the Commonwealth, from June 2 to November 2, to 17.

A lab later confirmed her death was related to the so-called swine flu virus.

The child's name, age and location were not released.

VDH expects the number of H1N1-related deaths to continue to go up in the coming months.

Schools have started to offer the vaccine, but there are many parents who are reluctant to get their kids vaccinated.

Emily Redding is one mom who doesn't want it. She's got a two-year-old, and she's pregnant with her second child.

"It doesn't seem safe enough to get it for us. We would rather keep washing our hands, sanitizing our hands, some of the other natural ways, than to put in a vaccine that really hasn't been tested enough," says Redding.

Redding and her daughter, Miriam, are in high-risk target groups to get vaccinated. However, she's among one-third of parents who don't want their kids to get the H1N1 flu shot, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll.

Hilda Sager has two kids in Rockingham County schools.

"They're pretty healthy. They take vitamins, wash their hands frequently. We try not to stay around people that are sick," says Sager.

Both Sager and Redding have concerns about the potential side effects of the vaccine, and news of an H1N1-related death in the Valley doesn't change their minds.

Still, Kate Glick has a son she wants vaccinated as soon as possible.

"We've been watching the news, and they've done a lot of work on reassuring everybody that it's safe. So, we're pretty sure that it's OK, and it's a good thing to do," says Glick.

"[There are] so many unknowns when you're looking at, it's just a flu virus for the most part," says Redding.

Doses of the H1N1 vaccine started to become available in Valley schools last week. Kids in two Augusta County schools were the first to get it last Monday.