It's running behind schedule, but it's here. H1N1 nasal vaccines are being given out for free in some parts of the Valley.

The Lord Fairfax Health District has started giving the flu vaccine to people ages 49 and under. The health district includes Shenandoah, Page, Frederick, Clarke, and Warren counties as well as Winchester.

However, there are target groups health officials want to make sure get the vaccine, even though this comes at a time when they say flu cases are decreasing.

Candace Coleman is an aunt who cares for three kids every day. A couple of the kids recently got the H1N1 vaccine.

"The little boy's at high risk. He has asthma. And, it seems to be targeting children who have underlying conditions. So, we want to protect him," says Coleman.

Dr. Stephen Haering, the director of the Lord Fairfax Health District, says he wants people to get the vaccine, even if they think they've already had the flu.

"In fact, maybe you didn't have the flu. Or, maybe you had a different influenza. You could have had a really bad common cold, which we're starting to understand is the case for many people," says Haering.

The health district is targeting a few groups in particular: people age two to 24, health care workers age 49 and under, and people 49 and under who care for babies six months and under.

Though pregnant women are asked to get vaccinated, they are not urged to get the nasal mist. Haering says that's because it hasn't been tested enough for that group.

The flu vaccine will also be available in a shot form as more doses are produced.

In recent weeks, health officials say cases of flu in Virginia have been dropping. The rate of flu-like illnesses is half of what it was in October.

"When we're watching trends, we're not always sure exactly if this trend is going to hold in terms of the number of cases that have gone down or gone up," says Haering.

Even though she was concerned about her niece and nephew, Coleman says she won't be getting vaccinated.

"I've never had any flu shots, and I probably won't have this one," says Coleman. "Old habits die hard."

Haering says the health district is also conducting H1N1 vaccination clinics at public schools and some private schools.

The clinics started at the beginning of November and will continue through December.

Haering says the health district is beginning with the elementary schools and will administer the vaccine at the other schools as doses become available.

The nasal mist can be administered for free at any of the health district's local offices:

- Clarke County Health Dept. - 100 N. Buckmarsh St., Berryville, 540-955-1033

- Frederick-Winchester Health Dept. - 150 Commercial St., Winchester, 540-722-3470

- Shenandoah County Health Dept. - 600 N. Main St. #106, Woodstock, 540-459-3733

- Page County Health Dept. - 75 Court Ln., Luray, 540-743-6528

- Warren County Health Dept. - 134 Peyton St., Front Royal, 540- 635-3159