SPRINGFIELD, Va. - The holiday travel season is here. This year, many people are lining up to get something special before they head out of town: a swine flu shot.

Allan Quinde of Fairfax says the H1N1 shot didn't really hurt. He got the shot at the swine flu clinic in Falls Church now to avoid the possibility of suffering swine flu during the holidays.

"Family and friends and, you know, we don't want to be the ones who get anybody sick or be the ones who gets sick from someone else," said Quinde.

This is one of five clinics in Fairfax County (web | news) over the next two days.

"We came and got them done today. And so we're all set and so my husband's the only one who needs to get it," shared Fairfax resident Lynne Johnson.

The push is on to get the shot or nasal vaccine to those between six months and 24 years and to those with medical issues that make them vulnerable to the flu.

The concern is with crowded family gatherings, airports and shopping malls. The chance to spread the virus is growing greater.

"Everybody wants to see him," said Fairfax resident Christy Jefferson about her child at the clinic Monday. "A lot of touching, a lot of passing around and just want to do everything we can to stay safe"

Fairfax resident Lisa Burrill named her concerns: "Going shopping, coming in contact with so many different things."

Getting as many people vaccinated as possible now is critical because the H1N1 virus has already hit the area hard.

"We have had an unprecedented flu season because of the pandemic," stated Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Director of the Fairfax County Health Department. "But we haven't reached our peak yet."

Roland Burrill says this vaccination is a gift of health for the holidays.

Burrill said, "Nobody wants to be sick during the holiday season and not be able to enjoy time with their family."As health officials report that cases of the swine flu are decreasing, Fairfax County residents are getting another chance to get vaccinations against the virus.

» local flu clinic information

The county's Health Department is offering free walk-in H1N1 flu clinics for people in targeted groups, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at each of the five clinic locations (See Below).

Clinic Locations:

• Fall Church District Office, 6245 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22044-2106
• Herndon-Reston District Office, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20190-3310
• Joseph Willard Health Center, 3750 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax City, VA, 22030-6903
• Mount Vernon District Office, 8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 233, Alexandria (web | news) , VA 22309-2344
• Springfield District Office, Cary Building, 8136 Old Keene Mill Rd, Suite A100, Springfield, VA 22152-1850

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