COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Health officials hope to avoid the high demand for flu shots in the upcoming season -- a demand fueled by fears about the H1N1 virus or so-called swine flu.

The Centers For Disease Control in Atlanta plans to produce 160 million doses of the seasonal flu vaccine. That amount is a 40 percent increase over the previous season.

For the first time, the CDC also is recommending universal vaccinations for everyone older than 6 months. Many patients expressed confusion last year about lists based on age and health status.

The CDC's focus is on encouraging early vaccinations. A nurse with the El Paso County Health Department agreed Monday.

"Think about getting vaccinated before people travel for the holidays," said Jill Law of the health department.

Law said she expects the county to receive the vaccine within a few weeks, before the peak of the season begins in mid-October. She also said the county will charge about $14 to vaccinate residents whose shots are not covered by insurance.

Many pharmacies and drugstores already have the vaccine. This year's version, unlike last year's, includes both seasonal and H1N1 flu strains. It means only one shot -- and not several -- will be required.

For more information about the flu vaccine in El Paso County, visit the health department's website below:

http://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/pdf/IZ/AdolescentIZbrochureforweb07.22.pdf