WASHINGTON, D.C. - With some uncertainty about what the upcoming flu season may bring, health experts are meeting today to discuss preparations for another possible swine flu outbreak.

In an effort to keep the spread of the virus to a minimum, federal government officials announced new guidelines to help employers and businesses prepare for and respond to the upcoming flu season, including asking that employers help in getting the swine flu vaccine to pregnant women and health care workers.

"From top to bottom businesses need to drive home the point that if an employee stays home sick... And productivity of the company," said Melvin Bond, Maryland resident.

This comes just days after health officials announced that the production of the vaccine will not be available as quickly as planned. Health officials predict that instead of the expected 120 million doses, just 45 million will be ready to dispense by mid October. Consequently, some medical professionals admit to being a little nervous about the consequences of the delay.

"Because of this delay, it's more likely this virus will cause more illness, more hospitalizations and even more deaths in this country than we had anticipated," said Dr. William Schaffner, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. "It makes us all a little nervous because we won't have enough vaccine."

Meanwhile, other residents in our area remain unshaken about how dangerous this virus may become.

"I just think its going to be something like last year," said Cleve Washington, D.C. resident. "Its just a flu, I think there's nothing much serious about it."

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