KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- If you haven't gotten your H1N1 flu shot, it's probably time you think about heading to the doctor’s office.

East Tennessee health officials now say they are bracing for yet another outbreak of the virus.

“Things hung around in October and there was a little blip in December, said Dr. Jay Hammett at Mercy Health. “I don’t know what causes it, but it just came back into town.”

Dr. Hammett expected the H1N1 virus to come back again, and he believes the so-called “Swine Flu” is just starting its third outbreak.

“These things have a way of working their way around the globe, it’s a cycle thing like a tsunami wave, it starts there and comes back like an echo," he said. “I've had about 7 to 9 flu tests this week. We had been averaging one two weeks ago."

The Knox County Health Department has plenty of H1N1 vaccines on hand, but doesn’t expect patients to rush in.

"Most people, when it comes to H1N1, have gotten their vaccine," said Mary Ann Harrison with the health department.

The vaccine takes two weeks to get into your system and you can even get the mist if you don’t like needles.

The flu mist vaccine is only available for patients between 2 and 49 years of age because it hasn’t been tested in people over 50. Both the mist and shot are available for free through the Knox County Health Department.

One thing to remember is that according to doctors, the vaccine won’t keep the H1N1 virus away entirely, but your symptoms will be less severe.