U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visited T.C. Williams High School Friday for a mass seasonal flu vaccination.

Her visit was part of a free immunization drive by the Alexandria Health Department and the Medical Reserve Corps in the T.C. Williams gymnasium. The reserves were given 700 doses of the vaccine for the two-hour session and through the first 90 minutes had administered about 400 shots, according to officials.

Sebelius toured the facility along with several local elected officials, including Rep. James Moran (D-8) and Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille.

In light of the persistent presence of the H1N1 flu virus, HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have pushed for citizens to get their seasonal flu shots early and officials expect an H1N1 vaccine to be available by mid to late October. The plan is for students, educators, first responders and health care and emergency medical services personnel to be among the early recipients of the vaccine when it is ready.