Overall, the H-1 N-1 flu virus appears more mild than the seasonal flu, but health officials are preparing for the worst.

"Immunilogically, our bodies have never seen it before," said Julie Casani, Director of Public Health Prepardness Response for the Divions of Public Health. "So there is no defense for it."

In preparation for a second wave of the swine flu virus state officials told the State Emergency Response Commission Friday that they are hoping to get 9 million vaccinations into North Carolina by fall.

Casani said that is roughly one vaccination for every person in the state.

"That's always the way that we do business," North Carolina Emergency Management Director Doug Hoell said. "You plan for worst case and you see how it develops and that way you're in front of it. We want to be very proactive in the state of North Carolina."

The vaccines will be provided by the federal government at no cost to the state.

Washington is also sending $7.5 million to help support the vaccination efforts.

"I think (the money) will go a long way in providing some support for this," Casani said. "Will it cover everything? It never does."

Even though lawmakers have not passed a budget for next year, emergency officials vow money will not keep them from being prepared for a potential outbreak of swine flu in fall.

"If there's a crisis, we're gonna stand up," Hoell said. "We're gonna respond like we always have."

Though it may sound like a lot of hoopla over a virus that has killed fewer people than the seasonal flu, officials say they have to be prepared.

"It's a new virus," Casani said. "It's not a virus any of us have ever seen before. It's not like seasonal flu where it's a new virus but it has some components we've seen before or we've been vaccinated for before. This is a totally new virus."

One officials are hoping won't take them by surprise.